This Mussels Pasta With Garlic And Fennel was inspired by the reader's favorite Creamy Garlic Mussels and is a culinary trip to Tuscany. This is a recipe that tastes and looks like a luxury but comes together simply and in less than half an hour. It's the best mussels recipe for busy weeknights when you need a quick meal but still want a deliciously inspired one.
Decadent comfort food that won't break the bank is on the menu when you serve up this frozen mussels recipe.
Truly, you're going to really enjoy how fabulous this meal is and you won't believe how inexpensive it is either.
Mussels Pasta with Garlic and Fennel is an aromatic, Tuscan-inspired treat that melds the flavors of the sea with those of flavorful herbs in a light, creamy sauce. And the best part? It's super easy and quick!
How To Cook Frozen Mussels (Without The Shell)
The salty, ocean freshness of mussels adds a succulent, relaxing flavor to any meal. And the good news is that you don't have to travel to the sea or sit and shuck them yourself to add them to your meal.
Mussels don't last long and are rather delicate, so being able to buy them shelled and frozen makes enjoying a seaside-inspired dinner much easier than it once was.
Frozen mussels are also pre-cooked, so you can add them to your recipe and just heat them gently to enjoy!
The Best Frozen Mussels Recipe
So what's the best-frozen mussels recipe?
Many people have thought it was my Garlic Mussels in Sour Cream Sauce.
But let me tell you something. This Mussels Pasta with Garlic and Fennel is going to give that rich and creamy dish some serious competition.
While both frozen mussel recipes are simple and delicious, this particular recipe is somewhat richer thanks to the addition of fennel, which worked beautifully in this dish.
You'll just have to make both recipes and decide for yourself (then let me know which one you prefer!).
Succulent Mussels Pasta With Fennel And Garlic
The fact that this meal uses frozen, shelled mussels means you'll have a lot less mess in your kitchen and your dinner will be ready quickly. All you have to do is finish your pre-cooked, frozen mussels in the delicious, Tuscan-inspired, aromatic sauce.
A quick note for the more adventurous/independent cook. While this recipe calls for Tuscan seasoning, you can use any thyme, oregano, or any other herbs you favor in lieu of them.
The light, savory flavors of the recipe provide an excellent base for anything you'd like to try...so make it your own if you're so inspired.
Simply get whatever pasta you have on hand cooking while you make the sauce and mussels in your favorite non-stick skillet. These ones are my personal favorites.
To do this, melt your butter and sauté the fennel in it.
After about 3 minutes, add in your shelled frozen mussels. Three minutes more and you can add in the ingredients for the rest of the sauce.
Simmer for another 5 minutes and you're ready to toss it all together with your pasta.
Last, but not least, sprinkle on some parsley, and wow everyone at your table!
What wine goes well with mussels?
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Recipe
Mussels Pasta With Garlic And Fennel
Ingredients
Click on the highlighted link to purchase the ingredients
- 8 oz uncooked linguine see the notes
- 1 lb frozen mussels washed and cleaned
- 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 bulb fennel halved and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Tuscan seasoning see the notes
- 1 c cream
- 2 tablespoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package instructions.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large non stick pan.
- Add fennel and sauté it on a medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Add frozen mussels and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Stir in garlic, cream, Tuscan seasoning, salt and pepper and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta, toss it altogether and serve with the sprinkling of parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Deborah says
Easy and delicious! Paired with crunchy fennel cucumber salad Wowed my guests!
Iryna says
Deborah, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm so glad your guests enjoyed this recipe.
Seleana says
I used green scallion onions instead of fennels and also added shrimp. I also seasoned the seafood and sauce to my liking. The family loved it and I paired it with angel hair pasta.
Iryna says
Seleana, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm happy you loved this recipe.
Marianne Hoskins says
What is the serving size, how many servings per recipe?
Iryna says
It's 4 servings:)
Marina says
Thank you for this awesome and super easy recipe! I've been looking for one for such a long while! I wanted something flavourful but at the same time gentle so that the mussels aroma and taste don't interfere too much in other ingredients and the overall meal. And this is it. Creamy, mild, herby pasta is exactly what I needed. Thanks again!
Iryna says
Marina, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm so happy you loved this recipe!
Julie says
This recipe is delicious and I will make it again and again.
Iryna says
Julie, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm happy you liked this recipe:)
Iris says
The first time I made this exactly and it was simple and nice, but I found it bland, so this time I added white wine and some more veggies (parsnip, carrot and a little bell pepper) and garnished with some grated parmesan and it really upped the flavor. I would definitely recommend adding half a cup of white wine.
Iryna says
Iris, thank you so much for sharing! I'm glad that you were able to adapt the recipe to your liking.
Sherry says
This was delicious and so easy to make!! For the tuscan seasoning, I added some crushed fennel to store bought italian seasoning - perfect! This is definitely a 'make again' in our house! Thank you!
Iryna says
Sherry, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm glad you liked this mussels recipe!
Karman Foods says
This Mussels Pasta With Garlic And Fennel is so delicious! I added a bit of Kikkoman Ponzu Citrus Seasoned Dressing & Sauce for an added twist of flavor. Yummy! The Parents loved it, too! Best paired with my favorite Premium Roasted Barley Tea.
Julene says
Can muscles be substituted with clams?
Iryna says
I'm pretty sure you can use clams instead of the mussels.
Laraine says
I made it with light cream, added some red pepper flakes and lemon pepper
It was very good
Muscles were sweet and tender.
Iryna says
Thank you for your comment Laraine! I'm happy you liked this recipe! The addition of lemon pepper sounds great.