Authentic Italian Cioppino
A vibrant San Francisco seafood stew with tomatoes, fennel, and a variety of fresh catches, simmered to perfection. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 55 minutes pairs mixed seafood, (14 oz) tomatoes, fennel bulb for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz mixed seafood
- 1 can (14 oz) tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fennel bulb
- 1/2 cup onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Clean and cut mixed seafood (e.g., shrimp, mussels, clams) into bite-sized pieces, reserving shells for stock. Finely chop fennel and onion, and mince garlic.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add fennel seeds and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add fennel, onion, and garlic, stirring for 5 minutes until softened and golden — do not brown.
- Step 3: Add chopped tomatoes (with juice), white wine, oregano, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook uncovered for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 4: Add seafood and reserved shells, then simmer for 8-10 minutes until seafood is cooked through (shrimp turn pink, mussels/clams open). Discard any unopened shells.
- Step 5: Remove pot from heat, stir in chopped parsley, and let sit for 5 minutes. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping in the flavorful broth.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Italian Cioppino take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Italian Cioppino?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed seafood from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Italian Cioppino?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Italian Cioppino for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Italian Cioppino?
Italian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect seafood recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
