Pasta con Cozze e Pomodoro

Pasta con Cozze e Pomodoro is a delightful Italian dish featuring tender mussels and fresh tomatoes, perfect for a flavorful breakfast. This dish brings together the richness of the sea and the sweetness of ripe tomatoes in a comforting bowl of pasta.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti - 160 grams
• Fresh mussels - 500 grams
• Cherry tomatoes - 250 grams, halved
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Red pepper flakes - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Lemon - 1, for juice and zest

Steps

1. Rinse the mussels under cold water, scrubbing the shells to remove any dirt or debris. Discard any mussels that are open and do not close when tapped.
2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
5. Add the cleaned mussels to the skillet, cover, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the mussels have opened. Discard any that remain closed.
6. Once the pasta is done, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti.
7. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the mussels and tomatoes. Pour in the reserved pasta water and toss everything together over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
8. Remove from heat, stir in the chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
9. Serve hot, garnished with lemon zest and extra parsley if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 40 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in omega-3 fatty acids from mussels, which promote heart health.
• High in protein and low in saturated fat, making it a healthy breakfast option.

Tags