Seafood Pasta Recipe (Restaurant-style Dinner)

Seafood pasta is the kind of dish that transports you straight to the Italian coastline with every bite.

Cooking like a chef isn’t difficult, and my Seafood Pasta Recipe shows you just how easy it is to make delicious restaurant-style dishes in your own kitchen at a fraction of the cost of dining out.

Think Amalfi or Liguria, where fishermen bring in the morning's catch and it ends up in a pan with garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, and a splash of wine. This isn't just dinner, it's tradition, elegance, and comfort all rolled into one beautiful bowl of pasta.

Culinary Background & History

Seafood pasta is a hallmark of coastal Italian cooking, especially in southern regions where fresh shellfish is plentiful. Dishes like Linguine alle Vongole (clams) or Frutti di Mare (mixed seafood) are staples that celebrate the sea. The essence of these dishes is simplicity. Using just a handful of high-quality ingredients and careful cooking brings out the best in the seafood without masking its delicate flavors.

American versions often amp up the richness with butter, cream, or more seasonings, but at its core, seafood pasta remains about balance: fresh seafood, al dente pasta, and a light but flavorful sauce.

Ingredients

Gather the ingredients to prepare our Seafood Pasta recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means "everything in its Place."

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

Recipe Variations

• Mediterranean Touch: Add olives, capers, and sundried tomatoes.
• Spicy Calabrian Style: Toss in Calabrian chili paste for a kick.
• Creamy American Spin: Finish with heavy cream or mascarpone for a creamy richness.

What Kind of Seafood can I use?

I have a nice assortment of seafood in my recipe, but you can use any type of seafood that you like to eat. Think of my recipe as a place to start.

Many people love calamari, and that would be a nice addition to this dish. I’ve never been a fan, but I’ve cooked more than my share of calamari (squid) during my career as a chef.

I’ve also used chopped clams when I couldn’t get fresh clams. You’ll also find New Zealand mussels at many grocers, and they can be used instead of fresh mussels.

Adding scallops, lobster, or chunks of your favorite fish to my seafood pasta recipe is also an option. Use the seafood you like to eat or have on hand to make this delicious restaurant-style dish.

How to make Seafood Pasta

Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make Seafood Pasta in your home kitchen.

The first step in making this dish is lightly sauteing the garlic, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes in olive oil.

Next, add in the mussels, clams, and shrimp. Cover the pot, allowing the mussels and clams to steam open. The shrimp will also cook during this time. The clams and mussels will provide an excellent broth that will help flavor the sauce.

**Start cooking your pasta close to the time you start to cook the seafood. You’ve got 10-12 minutes to go at this point in the dish.

If you’re using white wine to deglaze the pan, add it now. Add the marinara sauce and crabmeat. Mix gently and reseason to your taste.

**In my restaurant days, making this dish one at a time for my guests, I would reseason it with garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

Can I make this dish in a white sauce (aglio olio)?

Absolutely. Simply leave out the marinara sauce and add enough broth to build out the sauce. Clam broth or chicken broth can be used to supplement the natural juices from the clams and mussels.

**If you’re going to make a white sauce, you might want to add a little more garlic and olive oil when you start the dish.

Chef Tips

• If you want restaurant-level presentation, finish with a drizzle of good olive oil and freshly chopped parsley right before serving.
• Use dry Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio, which adds acidity without overpowering.
• Always salt your pasta water; it flavors the whole dish.

Add chopped parsley or basil to the dish, and serve with linguine or spaghetti.

At its best, seafood pasta is about honoring the sea and the simple traditions of coastal kitchens.

With this recipe, you can bring those same flavors to your own table. Whether you're cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself to a plate of something truly special, our Seafood Pasta is guaranteed to bring smiles to the table.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a crisp Italian white wine or a sparkling Prosecco.
• Serve with a crisp side salad or Caesar salad.
• Serve with crusty bread, foccacia, or garlic bread.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Store refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days. It does not freeze well.

Add a splash of broth, wine, or marinara and gently reheat in a skillet over medium heat.

Recipe FAQ’s

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