Easy Mussels Fra Diavolo
This is an easy, shortcut way to make traditional Mussels Fra Diavolo. And it is definitely just as good. And the whole meal done and on the table in twenty minutes.
Growing up in New Jersey with a lot of Italian friends and family, Fra Diavolo meant spicy red tomato sauce with the meat or fish of the day.
In Italian Fra Diavolo means”brother devil” and the derivation is that it was the nickname given to a bandit back in 1806 in Italy.
In restaurants it was almost always Lobster Fra Diavolo and at home it was shrimp or mussels and/or clams and even sometimes Chicken Fra Diavolo. But lobster was a little too expensive for our house.
These amounts are for 2 servings. You can toggle the number of servings in he recipe card at the bottom of this page.
What you will need
- 1 pound mussels – pre cleaned and frozen from the frozen seafood section of your grocery store
- 3 cups marinara sauce – your own or some off the shelf at the grocery store – I recommend Biutoni or Rao’s if you opt for the store bought.
- 1/2 fresh lemon
- 1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes – or more or less depending on how spicy you are feeling
- 2 cups tortellini or 1/2 lb. dry pasta
- grated parmesan cheese – for serving
I get these mussels in from the frozen seafood area at our local grocery store. They are already cooked. You do no scrubbing or beard removal. Just open the bag and put them in the pot.
How to
You can use a saucepan or large skillet for your Mussels Fra Diavolo.
Put the mussels in the skillet (or sauce pan). And add the marinara sauce, the red pepper flakes, lemon juice and todays pasta to the skillet. Tonight we went with some tortellini. Bring it up to a fast simmer and stir it up a few times as it cooks. Cook it until the pasta is done the way that YOU like it. . When the pasta is done and the mussels have opened up serve it up and enjoy your Mussels Fra Diavolo.
We had some air frier parmesan crusted zucchini french fries as tonights veggie. And some focaccia bread for dipping,
You gotta try this Calamari Fra Diavolo
Mussels Fra Diavolo
Ingredients
- 1 pound mussels pre cleaned - from the frozen seafood section at your grocery store
- 3 cups marinara sauce your own or from the store
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes or more or less depends on how hot you like it
- 2 cups tortelinni or 1/2 pound dried pasta
- grated parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients in a large skillet or sauce pan
- Bring it up to a fast simmer and stir a few times as it cooks. (8-10minutes)
- When the mussels have opened up and the pasta is cooked - serve it up
Glad you liked it!! And THANK YOU!!
I used mussel meat without the shells. I added diced cherry tomatoes that a neighbour had given me. It was all prepared in under 20 minutes! It was super fast, super easy and super tasty! Thanks poppop for this great recipe!
I used mussel meat (no shells) and added diced cherry tomatoes that a neighbour gave me. It was super fast, super easy and super good! I got top notch results in under 20 minutes. I wish every recipe was this fast, easy and good! Thanks so much, poppop!!
Thank You Joan!
Sounds delicious. Hope I can find the already cleaned mussels
So delicious!!