Mussels in Spicy Tomato Sauce
on Dec 22, 2021, Updated Apr 02, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links! For more info, check out our privacy policy.
These mussels in spicy tomato sauce are SO good (and so simple to make, hello, one pot meals!) These mussels in red sauce are a simple sweat of aromatics, Calabrian chili pepper paste & crushed tomatoes, simmered to perfection.
If you’re looking for another mussel recipe, be sure to check out our Linguine with White Wine and Mussels and Steamed Mussels in White Wine & Lemon. Both of those recipes are also on repeat in this house, such a great dish!
Ingredients you need for these mussels in tomato sauce
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Shallots, or onion
- Garlic cloves
- Red pepper flakes
- Calabrian chili pepper paste
- Canned crushed tomatoes
- Dry white wine
- Unsalted butter
- Fresh mussels
- Red wine vinegar
- Chopped fresh parsley, fresh basil would also work great here!
- Crusty bread
- Salt and pepper
This dish would also be great with pasta, as well!
Steps to make this recipe
Step 1
Wash your mussels under cool water, pat dry, set aside. In a deep pot with a drizzle of olive oil, sweat out shallot, garlic and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Next, add in your Calabrian chili pepper paste and sweat out. Then add in your crushed tomatoes and simmer for another few minutes.
Step 3
Next, add in your wine and reduce for 2-3 minutes, then melt your butter in.
Step 4
Once your sauce is all combined and the butter is melted throughout, add in the mussels, and stir well to toss with the sauce. Cover with a lid and steam until they open, about 5-6 minutes.
Step 5
Remove the lid and turn off the heat. Toss in chopped parsley. Serve with freshly cracked pepper and crusty bread to dip into your sauce!
Serve your mussels in red sauce with
- Classic Caesar Salad
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Gochujang Spicy Mayo
- Steamed Artichokes with Lemon Herb Breadcrumbs
More fish and seafood to check out
- Spicy Salmon Crispy Rice
- Chili-Rubbed Sheet Pan Steelhead Trout
- Beer Battered Fish Tacos with Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce
- Bang Bang Shrimp
If you do make this Mussels in Spicy Tomato Sauce recipe (first of all, thank you!!), be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and through social media so I can be sure to see what you’re making! If you’d like to stay in touch and get the latest to your inbox, sign up for our Newsletter here as well!
In addition, we can also be found on Youtube, Facebook and Pinterest!
Watch How To Make This Video
Mussels in Spicy Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon Calabrian chili pepper paste
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound mussels
- Dash of red wine vinegar, optional
- Handful of chopped parsley to garnish
- Crusty bread to serve
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash your mussels under cool water, pat dry, set aside. In a deep pot with a drizzle of olive oil, sweat out shallot, garlic and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Next, add in your Calabrian chili pepper paste and sweat out. Then add in your crushed tomatoes and simmer for another few minutes.
- Next, add in your wine and reduce for 2-3 minutes, then melt your butter in.
- Once your sauce is all combined and the butter is melted throughout, add in the mussels, and stir well to toss with the sauce. Cover with a lid and steam until your mussels open, about 5-6 minutes.
- Remove the lid and turn off the heat. Toss in chopped parsley. Serve with freshly cracked pepper and crusty bread to dip into your sauce!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The sauce didn’t come out as spicy as I expected, but the wine was a nice touch.
What substitute can I use instead of white wine?
Broth (vegetable/chicken) with a few dashes of white wine vinegar! White grape juice could work here, however I haven’t personally tried that.
This was really delicious and easy to make!
Delicious! I did not have the Calabrian chili pepper paste available, so used 1 tbsp of Thai red curry paste instead. It was yummy – will definitely pin this recipe and use it again in the future!
Thank you for your review, Jenny! So happy you enjoyed!
I used 1-1/2 lbs of mussels for my husband & I. I would use 1 cup of the tomatoes but add the juice of 1 can (we bought two cans – 1/2 cup ea.) We don’t use a dash, we use more crushed red peppers and we can’t find Calabrian peppers so we used harissa paste. We went to WDW and and Disney Springs, we had the best spicy mussel dish at Terralina Restaurant and wanted to find something that came very close to the restaurant’s dish. I believe we found it! It was sooooo good, this will be what we will be making again. Thank you!!!!!!!