This Seafood Pasta with Linguine, Shrimp, and Mussels is a luxurious yet approachable dish that brings the elegance of coastal Italian cuisine right into your kitchen. The garlic white wine sauce creates a savory, aromatic base that clings beautifully to the tender linguine, while the shrimp and mussels infuse the dish with rich oceanic flavor. It’s a beautiful medley of textures and tastes that feels both refined and comforting.
Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this dish is sure to impress with its minimal effort and maximum reward. The fresh seafood, bright parsley garnish, and a squeeze of lemon come together to create a dish that’s light yet satisfying. You can serve it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce or pair it with a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio for the full restaurant-at-home experience.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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12 oz linguine pasta
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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1/2 cup dry white wine
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1/2 cup seafood or chicken broth
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1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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1 lb fresh mussels, cleaned and debearded
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2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions:
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant, about 1 minute.
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Pour in the wine and broth, letting it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
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Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes per side until just pink.
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Add mussels, cover, and steam for 4–5 minutes until the mussels open. Discard any that remain closed.
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Toss in the cooked linguine and a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
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Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 480 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Introduction to Seafood Pasta with Linguine, Shrimp, and Mussels
Seafood Pasta with Linguine, Shrimp, and Mussels is a showstopping yet surprisingly simple dish that brings the essence of Mediterranean coastal dining right into your home kitchen. A timeless Italian favorite, this recipe is beloved for its balance of lightness and richness, brimming with the deep flavors of the sea. It elegantly combines succulent shrimp and briny mussels with silky strands of linguine, all enveloped in a luscious garlic white wine sauce. This dish is not only impressive in flavor but also in presentation, offering a gourmet experience that doesn’t require hours of preparation.
This seafood pasta is especially ideal for those who crave a light yet satisfying meal. The recipe relies on just a handful of quality ingredients, highlighting the freshness of the seafood and the vibrancy of simple aromatics like garlic and parsley. It’s a dish that embodies the beauty of restraint — nothing is overpowered, and every bite feels intentional and beautifully layered. Whether served for a romantic dinner, a weekend gathering with friends, or a cozy solo meal, it provides a restaurant-quality experience with minimal effort.
The Elegance of Linguine Paired with Seafood
Linguine is the perfect pasta choice for this seafood medley. Slightly thicker than spaghetti and flatter in shape, linguine has just the right texture to cradle the light sauce and absorb the rich flavors of the shrimp and mussels. Unlike heavier cream-based pastas, this seafood linguine remains fresh and delicate, allowing the natural sweetness of the shellfish to shine through. The starchy pasta water added at the end helps emulsify the sauce, giving it a silky finish that coats every strand beautifully.
Why Shrimp and Mussels Are a Winning Duo
Shrimp and mussels offer both visual appeal and a symphony of textures and flavors. Shrimp brings a slightly sweet, firm bite, while mussels offer a soft, juicy interior with an unmistakable oceanic essence. When cooked properly — shrimp just until pink and mussels until their shells open — they remain tender and juicy, providing a wonderful contrast to the linguine. The combination is not only flavorful but also packed with lean protein, making it a wholesome choice for those seeking a nutritious yet indulgent pasta.
Mussels, in particular, bring a lot of umami to the dish, especially when steamed in the garlicky white wine broth. Their shells release a natural brine that deepens the complexity of the sauce, making every forkful taste like a breeze from the sea. Plus, cooking mussels is far easier than many assume — a quick steam with the lid on does the trick, and they add a dramatic flair to the plate.
The Magic of the White Wine Garlic Sauce
A key to this recipe’s success is the white wine garlic sauce, which forms the flavorful base of the dish. Garlic is sautéed in good-quality olive oil until just fragrant, then deglazed with dry white wine. This wine not only adds acidity but also depth, lifting the sweetness of the seafood and complementing its natural salinity. Broth — either seafood or chicken — is added for richness, and the whole mixture reduces into a sauce that’s light yet savory, aromatic and packed with complexity.
Fresh herbs, particularly parsley, are added at the end for a burst of color and freshness. A final squeeze of lemon brightens everything up, cutting through the richness and tying the whole dish together. This balance of richness and brightness is what makes this pasta so craveable.
Health Benefits of Seafood Pasta
This dish isn’t just delicious — it’s also nourishing. Shrimp and mussels are low in calories but high in high-quality protein, making them ideal for muscle repair and immune function. Mussels are particularly nutrient-dense, loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin B12, and selenium. These nutrients support brain function, heart health, and energy levels. The olive oil used in the dish provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and garlic is known for its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
The use of linguine offers a moderate amount of carbohydrates, providing energy without weighing the body down. If desired, whole wheat linguine or gluten-free options can be substituted for added fiber or dietary accommodations.
Serving Suggestions
This seafood pasta is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. It pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or a side of roasted vegetables. Crusty artisan bread or garlic toast is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce. For drinks, a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the dish perfectly, as their acidity echoes the brightness of the lemon and wine sauce.
For presentation, serve the pasta in a wide shallow bowl, topped with glistening mussels in their shells and a generous sprinkle of parsley. A lemon wedge on the side not only adds aesthetic value but offers the diner a chance to enhance the citrus notes to their liking.
Tips for Perfecting the Dish
To make the most of this recipe, start by choosing the freshest seafood possible. If you can, purchase mussels that are tightly closed and smell like the ocean. Clean them thoroughly by scrubbing and debearding before cooking. For shrimp, remove the shell and devein for a cleaner presentation and better texture.
Avoid overcooking the seafood — shrimp only need a couple of minutes per side, and mussels should be removed from heat as soon as they open. The wine should be dry (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc) for the best flavor balance. Use high-quality olive oil, and do not skip the fresh parsley and lemon finish — these simple touches make a world of difference.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
What sets this recipe apart is its simplicity that does not sacrifice elegance. It’s a dish that feels special, yet can be made in 30 minutes or less. It’s light, but full of flavor. It uses everyday ingredients — garlic, olive oil, wine, herbs — in a way that feels elevated. The combination of linguine, shrimp, and mussels is not just classic; it’s celebratory.
This recipe also leaves plenty of room for creativity. You can add cherry tomatoes for sweetness and color, a pinch of saffron for luxury, or even a touch of chili flakes for heat. It’s a template that invites personalization while delivering consistent deliciousness.
Conclusion
Seafood Pasta with Linguine, Shrimp, and Mussels is the epitome of a perfect meal: it’s fast, flavorful, and elegant. It offers a restaurant-quality experience at home, using simple, wholesome ingredients that let the natural flavors shine. With minimal prep and maximum reward, it’s ideal for any occasion — from casual weeknight meals to festive dinner parties.
Its charm lies in its harmony: the briny richness of the mussels, the tender bite of the shrimp, the aromatic garlic, and the silky linguine all come together in a balanced and satisfying way. Add to that the vibrant touch of parsley and the brightness of lemon, and you have a dish that not only pleases the palate but also nourishes the body.
Whether you’re cooking for loved ones or simply indulging yourself, this seafood pasta is a celebration on a plate. It’s a beautiful reminder that great cooking doesn’t have to be complicated — just honest, fresh, and made with care.