Follow these steps for perfect results
unsalted butter
olive oil
garlic cloves
chopped
crushed red pepper flakes
whole peeled tomatoes
spaghetti
kosher salt
cannellini beans
rinsed
dry white wine
mussels
scrubbed, debearded
flat-leaf parsley
chopped
Heat butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat.
Add chopped garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until garlic starts to brown, about 2 minutes.
Add whole peeled tomatoes with their juices and crush them lightly with your hands.
Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.
Drain the pasta, reserving 1 1/2 cups of pasta cooking liquid.
Add cannellini beans and white wine to the tomato sauce.
Cook, stirring, until the wine has almost evaporated, about 4 minutes.
Add scrubbed and debearded mussels and 1/4 cup of pasta cooking liquid to the sauce.
Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mussels open, about 4 minutes.
Discard any mussels that do not open.
Add the cooked spaghetti and 1/4 cup of pasta cooking liquid to the mussels and stir to coat the pasta with sauce.
Reduce heat to medium and continue stirring, adding more cooking liquid as needed, until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
Divide the spaghetti and mussels among bowls.
Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Expert advice for the best results
Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for brightness.
Use fresh herbs for garnish.
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
Everything you need to know before you start
15 minutes
The tomato sauce can be made a day ahead.
Serve in shallow bowls, garnished with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
A side salad complements this dish well.
Light and crisp to complement the seafood.
Discover the story behind this recipe
Coastal Italian cuisine, showcasing fresh seafood.
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