Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›ZAZA Italian Gastrobar›Mussels Marinara Recipe

Mussels Marinara Recipe

Inspired by ZAZA Italian Gastrobar
Time45m
Serves4

Make Mussels Marinara Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Seafood

Sauce

Garnish

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Clean the Mussels

    Rinse the mussels under cold water, scrubbing the shells with a brush to remove any dirt or debris. Remove the beards by pulling them off firmly. Discard any mussels that are open and do not close when tapped.

Cooking the Sauce

  1. 2

    Sauté Garlic

    In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.

  2. 3

    Add Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

    Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes and sauté for another 30 seconds.

  3. 4

    Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, and add the chopped fresh basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir to combine.

  4. 5

    Simmer the Sauce

    Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Cooking the Mussels

  1. 6

    Add Mussels

    Add the cleaned mussels to the sauce. Stir gently to coat them with the sauce.

  2. 7

    Cover and Cook

    Cover the pot and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels open up. Discard any mussels that do not open.

Serving

  1. 8

    Plate and Garnish

    Serve the mussels in bowls, ladling the marinara sauce over them. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

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