Linguine with Mussels and Chorizo

Linguine with Mussels and Chorizo | WorldofPastabilities.com

 

I love muscles mussels!  And I do mean all types.  But this has nothing to do with my New Year’s resolution to personally uncover or build more of them.  This has to do with one of the best and affordable shellfish out there.  Beautiful black and/or greenish shells.  When opened the plump yet tender mussels are full of flavor and enhanced by wonderful sauces.  So say hello to Linguine with Mussels and Chorizo!  Why not take it up a notch?!  Easy to cook and easy to eat – sometimes uncontrollably.  And always, always serve mussels with fresh baguettes or Italian bread.

Don’t you love it when you see mussels on the menu?  “Would you like the red or white sauce, ma’am?”  ABSOLUTELY one of my favorite questions because it means I’m not cooking 🙂 and I’m about to eat more seafood.  My husband John has nicknamed me “Surf and Surf”.  I think it’s funny and my family (haha) sure has caught on…but don’t read too much into it.  Literally, I can’t get enough shellfish.  So I’m not a cheap date…but at least I’m predictable (and still fun)!

Linguine with Mussels and Chorizo | WorldofPastabilities.com

 

Needless to say, when you want to eat a lot of mussels, it’s a great shellfish to make at home. I frequent Costco’s “traveling road show events”…excellent seafood and selection at a fair price.  But call ahead because it usually only happens around holiday weekends.

The presentation of a huge platter of freshly steamed mussels is a real crowd pleaser.  Very colorful with the bright tomatoes and fresh basil.  And mussels can make a family meal or gathering fun and quite interactive.  With the boys, it’s more like a race.  The vultures surround the table and hands start moving…watch out!  In fact, like any experienced cook, I’ve learned to keep a few aside for myself. 🙂

This recipe was inspired by Marie, an Italian food blogger over at Proud Italian Cook.  Her recipe for grilled clams is fabulous!  These clams are wonderful by themselves, but I thought, why not try a version of the sauce with mussels and serve it over some delicious linguine?  I can serve it as a meal and try to control the vultures!  At least for the first serving.  Results?  My family went crazy.  All was gone in a flash.  And if it seems like my 2015 is off with a seafood theme, beginning with Shrimp, Avocado, & Spinach Pasta with a Mango Vinaigrette, you are right!

Linguine with Mussels and Chorizo | WorldofPastabilities.com

And let me say RIGHT NOW that you cannot make enough of this sauce.  There is always leftover bread and pasta and the leftovers will be enjoyed and fought over as much as the meal itself! Fresh garlic, diced onion, chorizo, clam juice, wine, tomatoes, and basil…there is no better combination!  See the before and after below?

Linguine with Mussels and Chorizo | WorldofPastabilities.com

So shellfish lovers, get ready for a one-of-a-kind meal.  Linguine with Mussels and Chorizo – yum!  Enjoy the sauce with clams or mussels or frankly almost anything.  And don’t be shy about making too much sauce!

If you are interested, check out the pasta made by us here at The Pasta Shoppe.  Sorry but regular linguine will not be found!  And if you have any fundraising needs, or know someone who does, please check out Fun Pasta Fundraising!

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Linguine with Mussels and Chorizo

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 23 reviews

Fabulous Mussels and Chorizo over Linguine…a wonderful meal! Don’t forget the baguette! Note: I would double this recipe! I could have used more sauce!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb. linguine (or other long pasta like angel hair or spaghetti) – note: you’ll use about 1/2 the pasta for one sauce recipe
  • 1 5 lb. bag of mussels
  • 1 lb. chorizo (can sub Italian sausage if you like)
  • 1 28 oz. can of whole Italian tomatoes
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz. bottle of clam juice
  • 1 bottle dark beer (any brand will do)
  • 1 cup white wine (use something inexpensive and dry)
  • 1 ounce or more fresh basil, torn or chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 t. salt
  • 1/2 t. sugar
  • 1/2 t. red pepper flakes
  • 3 T. butter
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain, rinse and keep aside.
  2. For sauce, brown chorizo in large sauce pan. About half way until done, add onion, stir for a couple of minutes and then add garlic. To drain excess fat, remove pan from stove top, tilt pan, and use paper towel to soak up fat. Helps to have 2 sets of hands!
  3. Remove whole tomatoes from can and dice on a cutting board. Add tomatoes and all juice to sauce pan.
  4. Add clam juice, white wine, basil, oregano, salt, red pepper, and sugar to pan. Simmer on med-low for 20-25 minutes. You will add the butter to the sauce right before serving.
  5. In the meantime, rinse the mussels and remove any whose shells are cracked or open. (a very small opening is OK). Add beer to a large deep stock pot. Bring to medium high heat until beer is steaming. Add mussels to stock pot. Cover with lid. In about 3 minutes, open and stir mussels to move them around the pot. Cover again for approximately 2-4 minutes more. Mussels are ready when they are all open! Cooking time does vary because of heat and pot…but they are ready when opened!
  6. Add butter to sauce and combine thoroughly.
  7. On a plate or platter, add your preference of pasta. Top with sauce and plenty of mussels. Then add some more sauce and fresh basil and parsley. Serve with hot fresh bread!
  8. I had some pasta leftover and realized I needed more sauce – so please double for maximum enjoyment!

Notes

Double this recipe if you can…I wish I had! I used approximately half the pasta for one recipe of the sauce.

 

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77 Comments

  1. citizensbankmo com on May 29, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    I added diced red pepper for color, and it was delicious. I also served the sauce with fresh saffron pasta from Rafetto s. It was devoured.

    • carey on May 30, 2017 at 11:08 am

      Great idea! Love the sweetness too of the red pepper! I’m in the mood to make this again soon! Thanks for sharing.

  2. Elizabeth Frey on May 27, 2017 at 1:53 pm

    Hi,

    This looks great but can’t you just steam the mussels in the tomato/wine sauce?

    • carey on May 30, 2017 at 11:07 am

      Sure you can! I like to do them separately as to not reduce the sauce too much…but either way can work!

  3. Tammy on March 22, 2016 at 4:49 am

    This was absolutely delicious, I cooked this tonight for my husband,3.5 yr old and I and we could not stop eating it. I’m looking forward to having friends over and sharing it with them☺ Thank you






    • carey on March 22, 2016 at 10:59 am

      So happy you made this and enjoyed it…I too am addicted to the flavor! Last time I made extra sauce and still have it in the freezer – can’t wait to have it again! Try my Tuscan Clam Sauce as well…another home run! 🙂

  4. Thalia @ butter and brioche on January 29, 2015 at 12:17 am

    Anything with chorizo is an instant winner in my books. Craving a bowlful of this pasta now!

  5. Alisson H. on January 21, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    Looks great! My husband is allergic to shellfish, but my daughter and me would love to try it!






  6. SHARON MARTIN on January 21, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    DEFINITELY WILL BE TRYING THIS RECIPE THIS WEEKEND. MUSSELS ARE MY FAVORITE….. ‪#‎ontheblog‬ #WackyWednesday

    • carey on January 25, 2015 at 9:47 pm

      Awesome!! And let me know how you like it! 🙂

  7. Tiffany Becker on January 21, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    This looks and sounds so good!!!! Thanks for sharing! #WackyWednesday

  8. Wendy McBride on January 21, 2015 at 10:27 pm

    I know my family would love that recipe. I am experimenting with new pasta recipes each week.

    • carey on January 25, 2015 at 9:48 pm

      I’d love to know if you come across any new pasta recipes that your family loves!

  9. alexandra dreyer on January 21, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    This sauce sounds soooooo good. I think I can skip the mussels and have the sauce with a loaf of crunchy Italian bread!

  10. Barb Carlson on January 21, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    This just makes me flat-out hungry! YUM

  11. JENNIFER AGUERO on January 21, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    You got my husband’s mouth watering. I’m allergic so I can’t try this recipe. But it does look inviting.

    • carey on January 25, 2015 at 9:49 pm

      Love that! You can have it – just leave off the mussels! It is a great sauce alone too!

  12. Candace Galan-Calderon on January 21, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    Sounds different and exotic, but surprisingly yummy!

  13. Jennifer Essad on January 21, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    I’ve never prepared mussels for a meal at home, this recipe is one I’m sure our family would enjoy, thanks for sharing. I’m so looking forward to trying this love all the tomatoes and garlic






  14. Guss on January 21, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    I would love to try this dish!

    • carey on January 25, 2015 at 9:49 pm

      Please do!! You’ll love it I promise!

  15. Linda Rice on January 21, 2015 at 4:19 pm

    Looks delicious!






    • carey on January 25, 2015 at 9:49 pm

      Thank you!

  16. Kirsten on January 21, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    I love just about all pasta but can not handle seafood. I just don’t like it. Your presentation is beautiful.

  17. Amelia Drew on January 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    that looks delic!!

  18. Tamie Tarbox on January 21, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    Anything Mussels~ I Love Mussels and this looks like another favorite I will add to my recipe file!






  19. Jodi on January 21, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    I love pasta but I have to say, mussels are not for me.






    • carey on January 25, 2015 at 9:50 pm

      Understood! It’s delish by itself too!

  20. Amber Kolb on January 21, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    Wow, this looks delicious! My husband would love me even more if he came home and this was on the table. I think I shall attempt it!






    • carey on January 25, 2015 at 9:50 pm

      Thank you! You’d earn brownie points for sure!

  21. Dana Matthews on January 21, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    This looks wonderful!

  22. Robert Fiorenza on January 21, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    wow yummy






  23. Pamela McReynolds on January 21, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    love idea






  24. Rachel DeMille on January 21, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    I have been looking for a great (and romantic) meal to make my husband on Valentine’s Day and this is it! He would LOVE it and it looks and sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing, can’t wait to try it out!






  25. Lisa on January 21, 2015 at 11:40 am

    That looks so good






  26. Lisa on January 21, 2015 at 11:39 am

    That looks so good, my two favorite pasta, and seafood. Yum






  27. Kari Judd on January 21, 2015 at 11:38 am

    I have never tried Mussels, but the recipe sounds wonderful!! Think I will give it a go!!

  28. Mac W on January 21, 2015 at 11:33 am

    wow.. this is all me. I’m so addicted to shellfish when I go out to eat I don’t even bother to look at other items on the menu. Here in AZ it’s difficult to get good seafood but I try my best. Thanks for the chance to win. I gotta have my seafood with pasta most of the time

    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 11:44 am

      I’m with you! I’m totally attracted to the seafood!

  29. Vicki Acreman on January 21, 2015 at 11:11 am

    This sounds delicious!

  30. Nicole Ford on January 21, 2015 at 11:04 am

    looking good I never thought of this






  31. Sean Fiorenza on January 21, 2015 at 10:53 am

    looks good gotta try it






  32. Gina Gallagher on January 21, 2015 at 10:30 am

    This looks fantastic! Mussels are not hard to cook once you get the hang of them!

    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 11:45 am

      I think most people are intimidated by seafood…but honestly, seafood is one of the quickest cooking and easiest things to cook – and healthy too!

  33. Sharon A on January 21, 2015 at 9:54 am

    I like Surf and Surf too! My preference is shrimp, but it would work with this sauce and linguine also.






    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 11:45 am

      Shrimp would be fabulous – or just a combo of all seafood!

  34. Seyma Shabbir on January 21, 2015 at 8:47 am

    Love the recipe! Sounds amazing!! BIG to do is always rinse the mussels or you will get sand and shell pieces in your food!






    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 9:02 am

      You are right! And the bags can really vary! Enjoy!

  35. Evans B. on January 21, 2015 at 8:43 am

    I never had mussels in a long time, love my mothers recipe–‘s my mother cooked it very well, and she’s 8,000 miles away from me. Going to try this 🙂 Thanks






    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 9:02 am

      I hope this brings back some memories and joy! Please let me know! 🙂

  36. Sabrina Price on January 21, 2015 at 8:22 am

    Looks so yummy my kids would be licking the bowls.






  37. carol n on January 21, 2015 at 8:19 am

    not for me, but I am sure others will love it.

  38. Nicole Margrif on January 21, 2015 at 8:13 am

    I love Chorizo and looks very good.

  39. Heather Repik on January 21, 2015 at 7:53 am

    That looks very fancy! I’m not a fan of shellfish myself, but I would make this for my family!

    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Looks fancy, but really isn’t! The sauce is wonderful too without the mussels – that is what we enjoyed the day after!!

  40. Shirley Smith on January 21, 2015 at 7:40 am

    Looking delicious! Yummy






  41. Kathleen Walsh on January 21, 2015 at 7:37 am

    I am getting hungry just looking at this pic! I have to try this recipe!!!






    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 7:44 am

      Thanks Kathleen! I know you’ll love the way it tastes too!

  42. rochelle haynes on January 21, 2015 at 7:07 am

    This looks good like to try it






  43. Jennifer Hedden on January 21, 2015 at 7:01 am

    This recipe looks amazing! I love mussels and I love seafood with pasta! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 7:42 am

      Please try it – you’ll really love it!

  44. Amber on January 21, 2015 at 7:00 am

    Noooo seafood for me.

    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 7:42 am

      Well, hopefully you’ll find some other recipes on the blog that you will like! 🙂

  45. Cindy R Moore on January 21, 2015 at 6:52 am

    Hmm, I don’t think I would like this!

  46. Nancy Fiorenza on January 21, 2015 at 6:51 am

    hmm looks good never tried mussels now I want to






  47. Pauline Vrbanic on January 21, 2015 at 6:46 am

    mussels! What’s not to love?!

    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 7:41 am

      Agreed!

  48. Becky Grayson on January 21, 2015 at 6:41 am

    YUMMY! I am also a Surf and Surf girl!






    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 7:41 am

      We should start a dinner club! Only seafood…wouldn’t that be fun?!

  49. Kari Wagoner on January 21, 2015 at 6:37 am

    this sounds so good! Think I’ll try it today.

  50. Helen Ingham on January 21, 2015 at 6:33 am

    Yummy 🙂

  51. jim bollin on January 21, 2015 at 6:32 am

    Love it

  52. terri bollin on January 21, 2015 at 6:32 am

    Look delicious

  53. Kathy B. on January 20, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    Wow! This one sounds amazing!!! And, by the way, I’m loving your seafood twist to kick off 2015! Happy New Year.

    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 7:40 am

      Thanks Kathy! Same to you…and I promise more seafood!

  54. Marie on January 20, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    This is beautiful! I’ll be making this with mussels now! Looks wonderful.

    • carey on January 21, 2015 at 7:39 am

      Marie! What a complement from my favorite Italian blogger! Thanks for inspiring me for years…and for anyone who wants to see delicious food and beautiful photos, be sure to check out Proud Italian Cook!

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