Description
Deliciously savory stuffed baked mussels featuring fresh mussels topped with a flavorful breadcrumb, Parmesan, and herb mixture, baked to golden perfection. A classic Italian seafood appetizer that’s simple to prepare and perfect for impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Mussels
- 2 pounds fresh mussels (cleaned and debearded)
Stuffing
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the mussels once stuffed.
- Clean Mussels. Scrub and clean the mussels thoroughly, removing any debris and debearding them. Discard any mussels that are cracked or do not close when gently tapped.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture. In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the mixture is evenly moistened.
- Steam Mussels. Place the cleaned mussels in a large pot with a splash of water or white wine. Cover and steam over medium-high heat for about 4 to 5 minutes or until the mussels open. Discard any mussels that do not open after steaming.
- Remove Top Shells and Arrange. Carefully remove the top shell from each opened mussel. Arrange the mussels on a baking sheet, placing them shell-side down to hold the stuffing.
- Stuff Mussels. Spoon a small amount of the breadcrumb mixture onto each mussel, spreading it evenly to cover the meat.
- Bake Mussels. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Serve. Serve the stuffed baked mussels warm with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- You can prepare the breadcrumb mixture in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use, saving time on the day of cooking.
- For extra flavor, try adding finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or anchovies to the breadcrumb stuffing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
