Garlic Mussels Pasta
Recipe Tested & Approved by Mia Hartwell
Every recipe is developed, cooked, and tested by Mia in a real home kitchen using everyday ingredients to ensure reliable, repeatable results.
Fresh mussels steamed in a garlicky white wine broth and tossed with pasta. An impressive yet surprisingly simple seafood dinner ready in about 25 minutes.
By Mia HartwellUpdated September 3, 2025
Developed using tested cooking methods — cook to the temperatures given and adjust times to your equipment.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Fresh mussels in a garlicky white wine broth
- 30g of protein per serving
- Impressive yet ready in 25 minutes
- Restaurant-style seafood pasta at home
Garlic Mussels Pasta
33 min totalServes 4
Nutrition (per serving)
Values are estimates. See our disclaimer for details.
- Calories
- 520kcal
- Protein
- 30g
- Carbs
- 58g
- Fat
- 15g
- Fiber
- 3g
- Sugar
- 3g
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Discard any mussels that are cracked or that stay open when tapped. Scrub and debeard the rest.
- 2
Cook the linguine in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- 3
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium. Cook the garlic and red pepper flakes 1 minute.
- 4
Pour in the wine and bring to a simmer, then add the mussels, cover, and steam 4 to 6 minutes until the shells open. Discard any that stay closed.
- 5
Add the pasta, parsley, and lemon juice, tossing and loosening with pasta water.
- 6
Season to taste and serve in bowls with the broth.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Discard any mussels that are cracked, or that do not close when tapped before cooking.
- After steaming, discard any mussels that did not open. Those should not be eaten.
- Scrub and debeard the mussels just before cooking.
- Serve with bread to soak up the garlicky broth.
Cooking from your phone or kitchen? Print this recipe or save it as a PDF to keep it handy.
How to Cook Garlic Mussels Pasta
New to this dish? Follow along with the detailed guide below — we break down each stage so you get perfect results the very first time.
Clean the mussels
Scrub the shells and pull off the beards. Before cooking, discard any mussels that are cracked or that do not close when tapped, since those are not safe to eat.
Steam in a garlic wine broth
Cook the garlic in oil and butter, add wine, and steam the mussels covered just until the shells open, about 4 to 6 minutes. After steaming, discard any that stayed closed.
Toss with pasta
Add the linguine, parsley, and lemon to the pot and toss with the briny broth, loosening with pasta water. Serve in bowls with the broth and some crusty bread.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Mussels are best eaten fresh and do not store well. Enjoy the same day.
Serving Suggestions
This garlic mussels pasta pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad, crusty bread, or your favorite grain. Add a simple side of roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean mussels?+
Scrub the shells under cold water and pull off the stringy beard. Discard any that are cracked or that stay open when tapped.
What if some do not open?+
Discard any mussels that stay closed after steaming. Only eat the ones that opened.
Can I use frozen mussels?+
Yes. Pre-cooked frozen mussels work. Add them just to heat through, following the package.
You might also like
Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta
Tender pan-seared chicken tossed with penne in a velvety garlic-parmesan cream sauce. It comes together in about 30 minutes and tastes like the kind of pasta you'd order at a trattoria.
- Total time
- ⏱ 35 min
- Calories
- 🔥 640 cal
- Protein
- 💪 42g protein
Lemon Herb Baked Chicken
Juicy oven-baked chicken breasts in a bright lemon, garlic, and herb marinade. A reliable, healthy weeknight dinner that stays tender thanks to a quick brine-style marinade.
- Total time
- ⏱ 37 min
- Calories
- 🔥 290 cal
- Protein
- 💪 39g protein
Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet
Golden chicken thighs glazed in a sticky honey-garlic-soy sauce, all in one skillet. The sauce reduces into a glossy glaze that's equal parts sweet, savory, and garlicky.
- Total time
- ⏱ 30 min
- Calories
- 🔥 410 cal
- Protein
- 💪 33g protein
Loved this recipe? Pin it so you can find it again — and explore more easy dinners.