Mussels cooked in a spicy tomato sauce. So much delicious broth to soak up with your baguette.
Have you ever had mussels in a spicy tomato sauce? The mussels are good but it’s really all about the sauce. I keep dipping my bread until there’s no bread left. And then I ask for more.
Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
It’s All About The Sauce
The sauce has a rich tomato flavor and quite a bit of heat. It also has a subtle seafood aroma from the mussels that were cooked in the sauce.
The last time I had mussels like that in a restaurant, I was dipping into the sauce and wishing there was more of it, as usual. Which is what made me think to do it as a soup. Then there would be more of that delicious tomato sauce to soak into my bread.
In addition to the tomatoes, this sauce has garlic, pepper flakes, wine, and chicken broth. It’s so good and you can adjust the red pepper flakes to your taste, whether you just want a hint of heat or want it to be really spicy.
Cooking Mussel Soup
This Spicy Mussel Soup is ready in under 15 minutes. The thing that makes it so delicious so quickly is the mussels. Mussels and other seafood cook really quickly so they’re a great way to get a pot of soup done in no time.
If you haven’t cooked mussels before, they’re really easy. Store them in a lidless container wrapped in newspaper or a damp paper towel in the coldest part of your fridge. Before cooking, discard any that are open. Steam or simmer in soup or broth until all shells have opened. If most are open, stop cooking and discard any that didn’t open up. Easy. Get more mussel storage and cooking tips here.
Another soup that uses quick-cooking seafood is this Manhattan Clam Chowder. It uses canned clams and they cook up just as quickly as the mussels do. And if you love shrimp, you’ve got to try this Shrimp Chowder recipe.
To get more tips for making quick soups and to see all of the SOUPin15 recipes click here.
More Amazing Seafood Recipes
If you love this mussel soup recipe, try one of these other dishes next!
- Quick Bouillabaisse Recipe
- New England Clam Chowder
- Hearty Salmon Chowder
- Crispy Skin Salmon
- Fish Parmesan Recipe
- Shrimp Ceviche
Podcast Episode About Making Mussel Soup
Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this soup, along with some other great tips, by clicking the play button below:
15-Minute Spicy Mussel Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
Mussels are a great protein for a busy weeknight because the cook so quickly. Try them in this quick soup.
To make this soup in under 15 minutes first gather together all of the tools, pots, pans and ingredients that you’ll need. But don’t do any prep. All of the prep is contained within the instructions and is included in the 15 minute cooking time. See you in 15!
Yield: 12 cups
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 small onion
- 1 large handful fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 – 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups low or no-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 lbs. fresh live mussels
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. peel and chop the onion and add it. Chop the parsley and set it aside. Mince the garlic cloves. Add garlic to onions along with red pepper flakes. Stir. Let cook for 30 seconds. Add the wine. Stir.
- Open the cans of crushed and diced tomatoes and add them to the pot along with the chicken broth, salt and half of the chopped parsley. Stir, cover and increase heat to high. Cook until it reaches a boil. Reduce to a heavy simmer.
- While the soup heats up, remove the beards from the mussels (just pull off the thread that runs along them, if that thread is there) and gently scrape off any barnacles. Put them in a colander and rinse with cold water. If any mussels are open, tap them. If they close they’re fine. If they stay open, discard.
- Once the soup is simmering, add the mussels. Cook until all mussels have opened. If most have opened, discard any that have stayed closed.
- Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with remaining parsley.
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This post originally appeared in March 2015 and was revised and republished in July 2023.
Great , tasty recipe!
I’m so happy you loved it, John! :)
Oh my god Christine, your 15 min, spicy muscle soup was to die for,,, 😍. My husband loved it too. So I thought okay…..I shall try this on my friends. So now this is all my friends talk about. 🤪🥰. I am feeling pleasantly Proud. Yep… it was quick and easy . Thank you x. (P.s. I have to admit I used already cooked muscles frozen, just as nice and quicker. Just soak in cold water for 10 mins. And put in your soup last 10 mins. Gorgeous 💕🥰😘
That’s wonderful, Steph! We’re proud of you too!
Great soup! Can I use frozen mussels and frozen shrimp? Even it it takes longer, can this be done?
Yes, it can absolutely be done, Cece. It will take a bit longer but not much. Please let me know how much longer it takes you and how you like it!
Looks good! When I’ve tried to cook mussels I ended up with a lot of little broken shell shards in the liquid and often in the remaining shells–not too fun crunching down on them! Any tips for avoiding that? And maybe a stupid question, but how do you eat this? Do you scoop up the broth with a spoon first and then go back and remove the mussel meat with a fork (and hand–I usually need to hold the shell in order to pry the meat out)? Thanks.
Yes, Mike, eating mussels is a messy business. I eat with a spoon for a bit and then use my hands to eat a mussel. Alternating. Have lots of napkins handy! As to the shells, I’m not sure. This has never happened to me. Can you inspect the mussels prior to cooking and make sure none of the shells are broken?
Maybe I missed it but at what point in time do you add the white wine ? And also could I add shrimp ? And if so would I add them in when i put the mussels in ? Thank you !
Adrena, you’re right. The wine was missing. I’ve fixed the recipe now. Yes, you could add shrimp when you add the mussels. Cook them until they’re opaque and pink. It should be about the same amount of time as the mussels.
Great soup.. freshly baked bread and fresh chili goes a long way to making this dish flawless
That sounds incredible! There’s nothing quite like freshly baked bread with homemade soup.
Excellent recipe, it turned out so well, and I will be using it again. Thank you!
Sara, I’m delighted that you liked it. Thank you for letting me know. Have a great day!
I love quick and easy meals like this… the weather is perfect for soup now too – so i definitely have to try this recipe!
I am a major soup eater. AND I am often pooped and in a hurry for dinner. Awesome!!!!