Authentic Italian Cioppino

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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, 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

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?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

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

Related recipes