When I spotted mussels at my local market for just $2-3 per pound, I couldn’t resist trying Jamie Oliver’s quick seafood pasta recipe. Like many home cooks, I was surprised by how affordable these delicious bivalves are. This recipe serves 4 people and comes together in under 30 minutes.
While the original recipe seemed straightforward, I learned that getting the seasoning right takes some practice. The key is balancing the white wine’s acidity with the aromatic basil oil and being careful not to overdo the pepper. The result should be a light, fragrant broth that complements rather than overwhelms the mussels.
Mussels Spaghetti In White Wine And Basil Oil Broth
A quick Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring fresh mussels steamed in white wine and tossed with homemade basil oil. Ready in 25 minutes, this affordable seafood recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive meal for four.
Ingredients
- 3.5 pounds fresh mussels, cleaned and debearded
- 1 pound dried spaghetti
- 2 large bunches fresh basil
- 4 anchovy fillets, drained
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup white wine
- 2-3 red chilies, deseeded and finely chopped
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Separate small inner basil leaves and place in cold water.
- Pound remaining basil leaves with anchovies and salt in a mortar.
- Add juice of 1 lemon and olive oil to make basil oil.
- Check mussels – discard any that don’t close when tapped.
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
- Heat large saucepan until very hot.
- Add mussels and white wine to hot pan.
- Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until mussels open.
- Discard any unopened mussels.
- Add cooked spaghetti to the mussel pan.
- Pour in basil oil.
- Add remaining lemon juice and season to taste.
- Garnish with chili and reserved basil leaves.
- Serve immediately with pan juices.
Notes
The freshness of mussels is crucial – they should be tightly closed when raw and open when cooked. If any behave differently, discard them. For the best flavor, use a dry white wine that you’d enjoy drinking, as the wine’s quality significantly impacts the final dish.
This dish must be served immediately while hot. The pasta will continue absorbing the broth if left to stand, potentially becoming too dry. For a richer version, try adding a pat of butter to the sauce just before serving, or experiment with different fresh herbs like parsley or tarragon in place of some of the basil.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 475Total Fat: 22gSodium: 450mgCarbohydrates: 65gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 32g
