Ingredients
4bacon strips,chopped
½small white onion,chopped
3garlic cloves,sliced
½tspred pepper flakes
¼tspsalt
¼tspblack pepper
½cupwhite wine,optional
4cupsmarinara sauce
1½lbsmussels,scrubbed, debearded, rinsed and drained
1lbspaghetti,drained, if serving as a main course
crusty bread,if serving as an appetizer
fresh parsley
Preparation
Add the chopped bacon to a large, deep skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the bacon for 5 to 6 minutes until it renders out fat and starts to get crispy.
Then, add the onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes to soften the garlic and combine flavors. Then, pour in the wine to deglaze the pan.
Cook for 1 minute and then pour in marinara sauce and stir. Bring the mixture to a simmer, turn the heat down to low and simmer for 5 minutes, partially covered.
Remove the lid and add all of the mussels. Cover and shake the skillet gently. Cook the mussels for 4 to 5 minutes until they open. Discard any that do not open.
Serve with crusty bread as an appetizer or over-cooked pasta as a main course, and enjoy!
