Weeknight Dinners: Quick & Easy Mussels Marinara

Quick & Easy Mussels Marinara

Mussels marinara is a beloved Italian-American dish (though the origins of the sauce are definitely Italian!). Serve it as a light appetizer with crusty bread for dipping or on a bed of pasta for your main meal. Either way, it's a delicious dish you can easily make at home!

For 4 main servings with pasta or 6 as an appetizer

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine
• 1 28-oz. (800g) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp dry Italian herb seasoning (or herbes de provence)
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 lbs (1kg) fresh mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, to garnish
  
• Lemon wedges
  

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and let cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. 
3. Pour in the wine and gently scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. 
4. Add the tomatoes, dried herb seasoning and fresh herbs. Stir well and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer the sauce for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Add the mussels and stir to coat.
6. Cover the pan with a tight lid and cook for about 10 minutes until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that are broken or still closed. 
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with more fresh parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
   

Hungry for more? Try these Thai-style coconut curry mussels.