Mussels in Spicy Tomato Sauce (Mejillones en Salsa)

A classic Spanish tapas dish featuring tender mussels simmered in a flavorful and spicy tomato sauce with garlic, chili flakes, and fresh parsley.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Calories

365

Level

Easy

Yields

4 servings

Cost

£2.55

Season:

Meal Type:

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Dietary:

Gluten-Free•Dairy-Free

Mood:

Healthy•Spicy

Ingredients

Servings

1kgMussels(Cleaned and debearded)

£6.50

3tablespoonsOlive Oil(Extra virgin olive oil)

£0.25

4clovesGarlic(Minced)

£0.20

0.5Onion(Small, finely chopped)

£0.20

700gCrushed Tomatoes(Passata or canned crushed tomatoes)

£0.80

0.5cupDry White Wine(Optional, but adds great flavor)

£1.50

0.5teaspoonChili Flakes(Adjust to taste)

£0.10

0.3cupFresh Parsley(Chopped, plus extra for garnish)

£0.40

to tasteSalt

to tasteBlack Pepper(Freshly ground)

to serveLemon wedges(Optional)

£0.25

Total Cost

£10.20

£2.55 per serving

The Method

1
Prepare the Mussels: Rinse the mussels under cold running water. Scrub them well to remove any barnacles or debris. Debeard the mussels if necessary (pull the beard towards the hinge end of the mussel). Discard any mussels that are open and do not close when tapped.
2
Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3
Build the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, dry white wine (if using), and chili flakes to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
4
Cook the Mussels: Add the cleaned mussels to the pot. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and cook for 5-8 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Shake the pot occasionally to ensure even cooking.
5
Discard Unopened Mussels: Discard any mussels that do not open after cooking.
6
Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Serve the mussels immediately in bowls, spooning the spicy tomato sauce over them. Garnish with extra parsley and serve with crusty bread for dipping. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (438g)

365 kcal / 1527 kJ

Carbs

14g

5% of RDA

Fat

15g

21% of RDA

Protein

34g

68% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

3 g

10% of RDA

Sugar

8 g

9% of RDA

Sodium

650 mg

28% of RDA

Saturated Fat

2 g

10% of RDA

Chef's Tips

To ensure the mussels are tender, avoid overcooking them. Cook only until they open.

Use high-quality crushed tomatoes for the best flavor.

Adjust the amount of chili flakes to control the spiciness of the sauce.

Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Soak bread in olive oil, garlic and herbs and bake for croutons.

Cooking Equipment

Large pot with lid

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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