Spicy Italian Seafood Pasta with Garlic and Chili Flakes
A vibrant seafood pasta tossed in a garlicky, spicy tomato sauce with tender shrimp and mussels, evoking classic Italian coastal flavors. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs linguine pasta, peeled and deveined shrimp, cleaned mussels for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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 linguine pasta
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 lb, cleaned mussels
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 5 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz linguine pasta and cook for 9 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Step 4: Add 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Stir and cook for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Add 1 lb peeled shrimp and 1 lb cleaned mussels to the sauce. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until shrimp turn pink and mussels open.
- Step 6: Toss the cooked linguine into the skillet with the seafood sauce, adding 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed.
- Step 7: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with extra parsley garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Italian Seafood Pasta with Garlic and Chili Flakes take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Spicy Italian Seafood Pasta with Garlic and Chili Flakes?
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 linguine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Italian Seafood Pasta with Garlic and Chili Flakes?
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 Spicy Italian Seafood Pasta with Garlic and Chili Flakes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spicy Italian Seafood Pasta with Garlic and Chili Flakes?
Italian pasta 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.
