Seafood in tomato sauce is a classic Italian dish that is both easy to make and packed with flavor. This recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight meal, and it can be easily customized to your liking. Whether you prefer shrimp, mussels, or a combination of seafood, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So gather your ingredients and let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
Seafood
The first step in making seafood in tomato sauce is to gather your ingredients. For the seafood, you will need:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- 1 pound clams, scrubbed
- 1/2 pound calamari, cleaned and cut into rings
Sauce
For the sauce, you will need:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
| Seafood | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Shrimp | 1 pound |
| Mussels | 1 pound |
| Clams | 1 pound |
| Calamari | 1/2 pound |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the seafood
Begin by preparing the seafood. Peel and devein the shrimp, scrub and debeard the mussels, and scrub the clams. Clean and cut the calamari into rings.
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Step 2: Make the sauce
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until softened. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, white wine (if using), basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
| Seafood | Preparation |
|---|---|
| Shrimp | Peeled and deveined |
| Mussels | Scrubbed and debearded |
| Clams | Scrubbed |
| Calamari | Cleaned and cut into rings |
Step 3: Combine the seafood and sauce
Add the seafood to the sauce and cook until the shrimp are pink and opaque, the mussels and clams have opened, and the calamari is tender. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Related post: Seafood Fra Diavolo
Tips
Use fresh seafood.
The quality of your seafood will greatly impact the flavor of your dish. When possible, use fresh seafood that has been caught recently. You can usually find fresh seafood at your local fish market or grocery store.
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Don’t overcook the seafood.
Seafood cooks quickly, so it’s important not to overcook it. Overcooked seafood will be tough and chewy. Cook the seafood just until it is opaque and cooked through.
| Seafood | Cooking time |
|---|---|
| Shrimp | 2-3 minutes |
| Mussels | 5-7 minutes |
| Clams | 5-7 minutes |
| Calamari | 2-3 minutes |
Variations
Seafood Cioppino
If you’re looking for a hearty and flavorful seafood stew, look no further than cioppino. This Italian-American dish is made with a variety of seafood, such as shrimp, mussels, clams, and fish, in a rich tomato broth. Cioppino is typically served with crusty bread for dipping. Related post: Cioppino Italian
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- Related post: Seafood Fra Diavolo Sauce
Feast of Seven Fishes
The Feast of Seven Fishes is a traditional Italian-American Christmas Eve meal that features seven different types of seafood. The number seven is symbolic of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Typical seafood dishes served at the Feast of Seven Fishes include baccalà (salted cod), calamari (squid), and shrimp scampi. Related post: Feast of Seven Fishes Menu Ideas
| Seafood | Preparation |
|---|---|
| Shrimp | Peeled and deveined |
| Mussels | Scrubbed and debearded |
| Clams | Scrubbed |
| Calamari | Cleaned and cut into rings |
Final Thought
This seafood in tomato sauce recipe is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Serve it over pasta, rice, or polenta, or use it as a filling for tacos or burritos. You can also add your own favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, or zucchini. No matter how you choose to serve it, this dish is sure to be a hit. So next time you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, give this seafood in tomato sauce recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
