Italian Stuffed Mussels Marinara (Cozze Ripiene)
Juicy mussels are stuffed with a savory breadcrumb filling, simmered gently in a rich tomato sauce, and served with crusty bread to soak up every drop.
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 362kcal
Ingredients
For the Mussels:
- 1.1 lb Fresh Mussels cleaned and debearded
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 cup Tomato Passata Purée
- ¼ cup White Wine optional
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Fresh Parsley chopped (for garnish)
For the Stuffing:
- 2 oz Stale Bread crust removed
- ¼ cup Milk or Water, for soaking
- 1 Egg
- ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Fresh Parsley
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Scrub the mussels under cold water and remove the beards. Discard any that are open or broken.
- In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté one garlic clove. Add mussels, cover, and steam for a few minutes until they just start to open. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Open each mussel carefully without detaching the halves.
- Soak the stale bread in milk or water for a few minutes, then squeeze out the excess. In a bowl, mix the bread with egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Take a small amount of stuffing and gently press it between the two shells of each mussel. Don’t overfill—just enough to bind the shells together slightly.
- In a wide skillet or pan, heat the remaining olive oil and garlic. Add tomato passata and white wine. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.
- Gently place the stuffed mussels in the sauce. Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes on low heat.
- Transfer to plates, spoon over extra sauce, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread.
Notes
- Use a wide, shallow pan to fit all the mussels in a single layer.
- If the sauce reduces too much, add a splash of water to loosen.
- You can prepare the stuffed mussels ahead and refrigerate for up to 6 hours before cooking.
Nutrition
Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 1015mg | Potassium: 530mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 807IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 3mg
