Seafood Pasta Recipe

After a long day, a seafood pasta recipe can transform your evening from ordinary to extraordinary without hours in the kitchen.

This dish brings the fresh flavors of coastal Italy to your family table with minimal effort. When I started making this recipe, I was amazed at how quickly I could create something that looked and tasted like it came from a high-end restaurant.

Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or want to elevate your weeknight dinner routine, this seafood pasta delivers impressive results that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Seafood Pasta Recipe

• Ready in just 35 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something special
• Looks and tastes restaurant-quality but requires only basic cooking skills
• The mixed seafood pasta creates a medley of flavors that’s more exciting than single-protein dishes
• Customizable based on what seafood looks freshest at your market
• Makes ordinary evenings feel like special occasions without complicated techniques

Ingredients

For the sauce:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 28 oz can San Marzano whole tomatoes, pureed
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter

For the pasta and seafood:

• 12 ounces spaghetti (or other long pasta)
• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound sea scallops
• 1/2 pound clams, scrubbed
• 1/2 pound mussels, scrubbed and de-bearded
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant but not browned.

If you enjoy a bit of heat, stir in the red pepper flakes. Pour in the pureed San Marzano tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 20 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted. This adds a beautiful silky texture and richness that balances the tomatoes’ acidity.

2. Cook the Pasta

While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 3/4 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta, but don’t rinse it—the starch helps the sauce cling better.

3. Prepare the Seafood

Heat the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in another large pan. Pat the scallops dry and season them with salt and pepper. Place them in the hot pan and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust and are opaque in the center. Remove and set aside.

In the same pan, add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Remove and set aside with the scallops.

Pour the reserved pasta water into the pan, then add the clams and mussels. Cover and simmer for 4-6 minutes until the shells open. Discard any that remain closed, as these aren’t safe to eat.

4. Bring Everything Together

Return the cooked shrimp and scallops to the pan with the opened clams and mussels. Pour in the tomato sauce and add the drained spaghetti. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with sauce and the seafood is distributed throughout.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley just before serving. The bright green adds flavor and a beautiful pop of color against the red sauce.

Chef’s Tips for Perfect Seafood Pasta

Buy seafood the day you plan to cook: Fresh seafood makes all the difference in this dish. If that’s not possible, quality frozen shrimp and scallops work well too—just thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight.

The secret’s in the timing: Seafood cooks quickly and continues to cook when mixed with hot pasta and sauce. Slightly undercook your scallops and shrimp so they’ll be perfect in the final dish.

Don’t toss that pasta water: That starchy liquid is like magic for bringing sauces together. If your finished dish seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Clean your shellfish properly: Give clams and mussels a good scrub under cold water and remove the “beards” from mussels (those fibrous strands hanging out of the shell). Fresh shellfish should have tightly closed shells or close when tapped—this shows they’re alive and fresh.

Be bold with herbs: While parsley is traditional, fresh basil or a mix of Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme work beautifully too. Use what you have on hand!

A Seaside Memory Worth Sharing

The first time I made this mixed seafood pasta was for a small dinner gathering where I had completely oversold my cooking abilities. In a panic, I remembered a similar dish I’d enjoyed at a tiny restaurant along the Italian coast years before. The chef had made it seem so effortless—tossing fresh seafood with pasta and a simple sauce. With no formal recipe and a healthy dose of determination, I recreated what I recalled, and to my surprise, it became the star of the evening! Now this dish is my trusty “impressive but actually easy” recipe that transforms ordinary evenings into something special.

Common Questions About Seafood Pasta

How to make a simple seafood pasta?

For a simpler version, focus on just one type of seafood (shrimp is the easiest to work with) and a basic garlic and olive oil sauce. Cook 3-4 cloves of minced garlic in 1/4 cup olive oil until fragrant, add 1 pound of shrimp and cook until pink, then toss with cooked pasta, a squeeze of lemon, and fresh herbs. Ready in just 15 minutes!

What seafood goes well with pasta?

Almost any seafood pairs beautifully with pasta! Beyond this recipe’s mix of shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels, try salmon pieces (especially good with cream sauces), chunks of firm white fish like cod, lobster for special occasions, calamari rings (quick cooking), or lump crab meat (add at the very end to preserve texture).

What type of pasta is best for seafood?

Long, thin pasta shapes like spaghetti, linguine, and fettuccine traditionally pair best with seafood. The thin strands complement the delicate nature of seafood without overwhelming it. For chunkier seafood mixtures or cream sauces, consider short pasta like penne or fusilli that can catch bits of sauce and smaller pieces of seafood in their nooks and crannies.

Do Italians put Parmesan cheese on seafood pasta?

Traditional Italian cooking typically avoids combining cheese with seafood pasta, as many Italians believe cheese overwhelms the delicate flavor of the seafood. In authentic Italian kitchens, you’ll rarely see Parmesan offered with seafood dishes. That said, in your own kitchen, you make the rules! If you enjoy a light sprinkle of freshly grated cheese, go ahead—just keep it minimal to let the seafood remain the star.

Delicious Variations to Try

Creamy Seafood Pasta: Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream to the tomato sauce for a richer, pink sauce variation. For a completely different take on seafood pasta, check out this creamy salmon pasta recipe that pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine.

White Wine Seafood Pasta: Skip the tomato sauce and create a simple sauce with 1/2 cup white wine, 4 tablespoons butter, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. The wine adds a bright acidity that complements seafood beautifully.

Spicy Seafood Pasta: Double the red pepper flakes and add a teaspoon of Calabrian chili paste to the sauce for a fiery kick that pairs wonderfully with the sweet seafood.

Looking for more seafood inspiration? This classic salmon pasta offers another delicious way to bring seafood to your dinner table. And for a complete meal, start with a refreshing seafood cucumber salad starter that will prepare your palate for the main event.

Make This Seafood Pasta Your New Favorite Dinner

This elegant seafood pasta bridges the gap between everyday cooking and exceptional occasion dining. With fresh ingredients and just a little attention to detail, you’ll create a dish that feels like a seaside indulgence right in your kitchen. Combining different seafood creates a symphony of flavors and textures that makes each bite exciting.

What makes this seafood pasta recipe so wonderful is its adaptability it welcomes your personal touch and adjusts to what’s available at your market. Whether you’re cooking a quiet dinner for two or hosting friends for an evening of good food and conversation, this dish delivers stunning flavors and the comfort of a homemade meal.

Which seafood combination will you try first in your pasta creation? Whatever you choose, I promise this Mediterranean-inspired dinner will become a new favorite in your recipe collection!

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