Cozze Marinara Recipe

Written by: Vladimir Lapshin

Key Takeaways

• Authentic Italian Recipe: This is an authentic Italian recipe. It does not involve tomatoes. This makes it different from other mussel dishes. 
• Aromatic Enhancement: The garlic and fresh parsley enhance the overall flavor of this cozze alla marinara recipe. 
• Easy to Prepare: The cozze marinara recipe is very easy to prepare as it only requires a handful of ingredients. 
• Fresh Mussels: Fresh High quality mussels are the backbone of this recipe as they make the overall dish delicious and tasty. 

Introduction

Cozze alla Marinara means mussels in marinara sauce. This Italian dish is very tasty and easy to make. It features mussels cooked in simple sauce with garlic, parsley, and olive oil. Anyone can make it at home. This flavorful dish works great as a fancy appetizer or quick dinner. 

Recipe for Cozze Marinara

Cozze Marinara Recipe

Recipe by Recipe Blossom

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Healthy, SeafoodCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Medium

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories per serving

400

kcal

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 1.3 kg fresh mussels (approximately 3 pounds)

• 1-2 garlic cloves

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 65 ml seafood or vegetable broth

• ½ bunch fresh parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Clean the Mussels: First of all, clean the mussels with fresh water and scrap off any dirt or barnacles from the mussels. 
• Prepare Garlic and parsley: Take garlic and slice it or chop it up. Chop the parsley and save some of the stems separately because they add extra flavor to the mussels during cooking. 
• Cook the Garlic in Olive Oil: Take a large skillet and put some olive oil in it. Heat it over medium heat. Add chopped garlic into the skillet and cook for a minute. Do not brown it because it will taste bitter if you brown the garlic. 
• Add Mussels and Broth: Add the mussels to the skillet and spread them in a single layer. Now, pour the vegetable or seafood broth into the skillet and let it mix with the garlic infused oil. 
• Steam the Mussels: Sprinkle some chopped parsley over the broth and mussels and cover the skillet with a tight fitting lid. Steam the mussels for about 5 to 10 minutes over medium high heat. Shake the skillet occasionally during the cooking. If any mussels do not open after this time, discard them because they are not safe to eat. 
• Finish and Serve: Remove the lid when all the mussels have opened. Let it cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the zuppa cozze (mussel soup) is reduced slightly. This process enhances the flavor of garlic, parsley, and broth. Take out the mussels and transfer them to a separate dish. Generously drizzle the mussels with zuppa cozze (mussel soup) and garnish with fresh parsley. Your cozze alla marinara is ready. Serve this flavorful and delicious cozze alla marinara with slices of crusty bread. You can also add lemon wedges for an extra flavor. 

Chef Recommendations

• Use Fresh Mussels: Use fresh and high quality mussels for cozze marinara recipe. Choose mussels that are plump, smell fresh, and are shiny. Avoid choosing mussels that smell like ammonia or overly fishy. 
• Don’t Overcook the Mussels: Do not overcook the mussels because it can make them rubbery. Mussels cook quickly so cook them until they open. Remove the mussels from heat immediately once they open. 
• Choose Quality Broth: Choose high quality vegetable or seafood broth as it can enhance the flavor of your zuppa di mussels (mussel soup). Always opt for low sodium version broth if you are using store bought broth. 
• Adjust garlic to Taste: You can adjust the flavor of garlic according to your taste. If you want a bold flavor, chop the garlic finely and leave it in the dish. If you want a milder garlic flavor then add the garlic as a whole to zuppa di mussels without chopping them and remove them before serving. 

Nutritional Benefits:

• High in Protein: Mussels are a great source of protein. Proteins are essential for muscle growth and repair. 
• Packed with Vitamin and Minerals: Mussels are Vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. These vitamins are essential for proper functioning of the body. 
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Cozze marinara containing mussels and zuppa di mussels (mussels soup) is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids support heart health, promote healthy brain function, and reduce inflammation. 
• Supports Bone Health: Cozze Marinara contains magnesium, phosphorus and calcium which are essential for bone health. 
• Low in Calories: This meal is low in calories which makes it a healthy food choice.

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