In this article, we will share seafood pasta dishes you can create to spice up your weeknight dinner either with friends, family, significant others, or simply for treating yourself. We’ll also talk about how to choose sustainable seafood to add to your seafood pasta recipes and where to get seafood delivery to your doorstep.
Why Choose Seafood Pasta?
Seafood pasta is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it a perfect go-to dish for weeknight dinners. The addition of seafood enhances both the flavor and health benefits. With a variety of seafood pasta recipes available, many are easy enough for beginners to try and enjoy!
Now that you've selected a nutrient-packed dish, it's equally important to choose sustainably sourced seafood. Seaco offers a wide variety of sustainable seafood options, with frozen seafood delivery to your doorstep, making it the perfect choice to source for ingredients for your weeknight pasta dinners. You can also experiment with different seafood pasta recipes and explore cooking with the pasta of your choice.
We’ll explore different seafood pasta dishes below. Add these seafood recipes to your must-cook list!
Types of Seafood to Use in Pasta Dishes
In this portion, we will cover the types of seafood to use in pasta dishes, how to choose and prepare them for use.
1. Prawns
Devein and deshell before cooking. For easier eating, you may also remove the tail before placing them in the pan.
2. Squid
Whether you bought frozen or fresh squid, they should already be pre-cleaned so you can save on prep time. Always remember to pat dry the squid with paper towels before cooking. Squid takes a while to cook, so cook it for a couple of minutes till tender.
3. Scallops
Drain well and pat dry before cooking. Scallops are suggested to be cooked in a frying pan. Small scallops take about 2 minutes on each side in a hot pan to be done. If using baby scallops, add these when your dish is almost done.
4. Clams
Soak clams in salt water for 20 minutes and rinse and clean the outside shell. Small to medium clams will be open by 7-10 minutes. Discard any that don't open after this as it could be an indication that the clams are not fresh. To save time, you can use pre-cleaned and cooked clams.
5. Mussels
When you're ready to clean the mussels, place them in cold water and let them soak for about 10 minutes. This will help them release any sand or dirt. You may need to repeat this process, soaking them again for another 5 minutes if necessary.
To clean the exterior, rinse each mussel under cold running water, gently scrubbing the shell with your hands or a brush. Inspect the mussels for the "beard," which is a stringy piece of fiber coming out of the shell. To remove it, grip the beard and pull it firmly toward the hinge (the narrow end of the shell). While most beards come off easily, some may require a bit more effort. For convenience, you can purchase pre-cleaned and cooked mussels to skip the preparation process.
Delicious Seafood Pasta Recipes to Try
Garlic Prawn Pasta
To make garlic prawn spaghetti, cook the prawns with salt and red pepper flakes in butter until fully cooked. Remember to flip them to ensure that it is thoroughly cooked. Set them aside. In the same skillet, add more garlic, butter, lemon juice, reserved pasta water, and parmesan cheese, whisking to combine the sauce and scrape up any bits left from the prawns. Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce, tossing until well coated. Finally, return the prawns to the skillet and garnish with parsley before serving.
To make garlic shrimp spaghetti, cook the prawns in butter with salt and red pepper flakes over medium heat until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side, flipping them to ensure even cooking.
Once done, set the prawns aside. In the same skillet, add more garlic, butter, lemon juice, reserved pasta water, and parmesan cheese, whisking to combine and scraping up any browned bits left from the prawns. Let the sauce simmer for a minute. Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce, tossing until well coated. Finally, return the prawns to the skillet, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Squid Pasta
To make squid pasta with marinara sauce, first, sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add white wine and cook until the liquid reduces by half. Then, add clam juice, crushed tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, cooking until the sauce thickens to about 1½ cups. Add fresh squid and simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes until tender, making sure not to let the sauce boil.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted boiling water, slightly undercooking it. Drain and return the pasta to the pot. Remove the squid from the sauce, then toss the pasta in the sauce for 2 minutes. Finally, return the squid to the sauce, mix well, and serve.
This version ensures the cooking times and techniques are accurate, particularly for the squid and sauce preparation.
Scallop Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach in a Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
To make scallop pasta with tomatoes and spinach in a lemon garlic butter sauce, first, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Meanwhile, season the scallops with salt and pepper, then sear them in hot oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté garlic, half the tomatoes, and 1 tablespoon of capers for about 4 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until it wilts, then stir in the remaining tomatoes and olives. Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with butter, squeeze fresh lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Top with the seared scallops, and sprinkle with extra capers, fresh thyme, and red pepper flakes. Serve and enjoy!
Spaghetti with Clams and Garlic
Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic and crushed red pepper until the garlic is lightly browned, about 1½ minutes. Add clams and a splash of water, cover, and simmer until the clams open, which will take about 5-8 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open.
Toss the cooked spaghetti and chopped parsley into the skillet with the clams, season with freshly cracked pepper, and cook for another minute to let the pasta absorb the juices. Serve immediately in shallow bowls.
A Culinary Exploration
Seafood pasta is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that combines nutrition, taste, and culinary creativity. Because it's easy to make and can suit different tastes, it’s no wonder that seafood pasta has become a favorite among many.
By incorporating sustainably sourced seafood from Seaco, you’re not only elevating your dishes but also contributing to the well-being of our oceans. We encourage you to experiment with these recipes and discover your favorites, transforming your weeknight dinners into something truly special.
Visit Seaco to explore our selection of sustainable seafood you can incorporate to your seafood pasta for weeknight dinner! You can also explore more seafood recipes on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
