From briny mussels to silky seafood pastas and elegant roast fish, these Italian seafood dishes are just as memorable as the ones from your favorite neighborhood trattoria. Pour yourself a glass of wine and let’s get into it!
Impressive Starters and Small Plates
Shrimp Oreganata
Juicy baked shrimp topped with crunchy, garlicky breadcrumbs and finished with lemon and parsley. A classic Italian-American dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
get the recipe ↓
Tuna Crudo
A classic tuna crudo topped with a bright, punchy salsa verde made with lemon, capers, and herbs.
get the recipe
Seafood Pastas, the Italian Way
Lobster Pasta
A luxurious pasta with tender baked lobster and a saffron-infused white wine cream sauce. Elegant but surprisingly doable in about an hour. For an extra-special meal, pair with my homemade pappardelle.
get the recipe ↓
Salmon Pasta Without Cream
A light yet silky salmon pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, lemon, and fresh herbs. No heavy cream needed!
get the recipe ↓
Lemony Mafaldine with Caramelized Cabbage & Anchovies
A punchy pantry pasta, thanks to deeply savory caramelized cabbage sauce with spicy chili flakes, anchovies, and tangy lemon.
get the recipe ↓
Elegant Main Dishes
Lemony Shrimp Scampi
The combo of juicy shrimp in a flavorful sauce made from garlic, butter, and lemon is divine. Unlike other recipes, this dish yields plenty of broth for dipping with lots of crusty bread.
get the recipe ↓
Shrimp Cacciatore
This shrimp cacciatore is hearty and rustic, with notes of tangy tomato, plump shrimp, and sweet red peppers. It’s a reader favorite for a reason!
get the recipe ↓
Whole Roasted Branzino with Lemon and Calabrian Chili
Inspired by a favorite coastal Italian spot, this whole-roasted branzino recipe is stuffed with sliced lemons and brushed with a homemade Calabrian chili crisp that’s utterly addicting. It’s an incredibly impressive dish to serve at a dinner party or Feast of the Seven Fishes, requiring very little prep time!
get the recipe ↓
Mussels Marinara with Herb Breadcrumbs
It’s time for another classic Italian-American favorite. These delicious mussels marinara are served in a garlicky tomato broth with white wine, fresh, herbs, and crunchy breadcrumbs. Serve with your favorite pasta if you like.
get the recipe ↓
Seafood Tips & Tricks
Sourcing
- Seek out high-quality sources of fish and shellfish from a reputable fish market or grocery store.
- Have questions on cleaning, descaling, or filleting a fish? Don’t be afraid to ask your local fishmonger for help!
Prep
- For a strong depth of flavor, make your own homemade seafood stock! Your guests will thank you.
- Seafood is naturally briny. Taste before adding salt, especially when using anchovies, capers, olives, or seafood stock.
- Don’t overcook: Most seafood cooks far faster than you think. Shrimp turn opaque and curl; fish flakes easily with gentle pressure; mussels open within minutes. Pull them from heat as soon as they’re done to keep them tender.
Serving
- Seafood and lemon go hand in hand. Just before serving, make sure to add squeeze of lemon and a garnish of freshly chopped parsley for a little extra pop!
