Skinnytaste > Italian Inspired Recipes > Mussels in Basil Cream Sauce

Mussels in Basil Cream Sauce

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

There’s a great neighborhood Italian restaurant near my house that makes these amazing mussels the called Cozze Al Verde. Unfortunately they are loaded with butter and oil and the points are probably off the charts. I was inspired to remake this dish into a skinnier version and I think I succeeded. The basil sauce was creamy and flavorful. Serve this with some crusty bread to soak up the juice. Live mussels can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days in an open bowl to allow them to breath with a wet cloth on top. Discard any mussels that are cracked or not alive.

Skinnytaste Simple promo banner

Mussels in Basil Cream Sauce

5 from 3 votes
8
Cals:370.6
Protein:20.6
Carbs:11.7
Fat:24
Course: Appetizer, Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Yield: 3 servings
Serving Size: 14 mussels

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp butter
  • 1 shallots, minced
  • 1 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped PLUS
  • 2 cloves garlic set aside
  • 2 lbs live mussels
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup fat free half and half
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup parmesan
  • salt and fresh pepper

Instructions

  • Scrub and de-beard mussels in cold water.
  • Discard any cracked or unopened shells.
  • In a large pot melt butter.
  • Add shallots and 1 clove chopped garlic and sauté about 3 minutes.
  • Add wine and bring to a boil.
  • Add mussels and cover until mussels open, about 4 to 6 minutes.
  • When mussels are cooked, scoop them out with a slotted spoon.
  • Discard any mussels that didn't open.
  • Add 1/4 cup of ff half and half to the wine and simmer about 4 minutes.
  • In a blender, puree basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, remaining half & half and garlic.
  • Add to cream, season with salt and pepper and simmer another few minutes.
  • Pour over mussels.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Nutrition

Serving: 14 mussels, Calories: 370.6 kcal, Carbohydrates: 11.7 g, Protein: 20.6 g, Fat: 24 g, Sodium: 973.1 mg, Fiber: 0.4 g, Sugar: 2.1 g

Categories:

Rate and review this recipe!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this Recipe:




34 comments on “Mussels in Basil Cream Sauce”

  1. This recipe was a step up from the usual white wine based mussels. Served alongside a homemade crusty bread and a fabulous Sauvignon Blanc a midweek dinner was transformed into a better than quality restaurant experience. Thank you for sharing!

  2. Avatar photo
    Melissa Beaird

    Has anyone tried this in the instant pot? If so how did you do it? I saw someone post in a Facebook group about doing mussels in the IP and I immediately thought of this recipe.

  3. I made this recipe tonight and it was so flavorful and awesome! How do I keep the mussels hot while making the sauce? I moved them to a bowl and covered but when it was time to eat them, they weren’t as hot as I wanted them to be. Sorry if this is a silly question but I’m not that experienced making mussels.

  4. Avatar photo
    Christina Seward

    Can’t wait to try this! I wonder how it works out in smartpoints now, with the freestyle program turning mussels to 0 SP! 

  5. Avatar photo
    Kim Waumsley

    Amazing recipe. So flavourful! The Basil cream mixture tops,off,the mussels. My husband kept saying,how fantastic this dish was.  Thank you so much! 

  6. These were delicious. A great new way to prepare mussels for me. And the sauce was great with crusty bread.

  7. Hi Gina, im from New Zealand and im not sure what "half and half" is? Assuming you are in America, i guess its an American thing, what else is it known as? Would love to try these 🙂 Thanks

    1. they sell here in america but its really half heavy cream and half whole milk in one container.. hope this helps

  8. Avatar photo
    Office Worker

    theres a very easy recipe that mum does with mussels: doesnt call for butter, only a little oil with garlic, once the garlic's a little brown, take it out of the pan and just throw it out, then add the mussels and once cooked you add parsley.
    Im originally from Italy and we dont use wine with mussels: wine is only used if the mussels are not fresh so that it covers up the smell.

  9. I use to make a similar version but far too high in fat etc and have been looking for a skinnier version. I'm having freinds in for dinner this weekend and I know they love mussels as I do, but my hubby only likes shrimp. I think I will make this but throw in a few shrimp for him. Based on the portion size I can actually serve this as a small appetizer before dinner

  10. I made this last night along with a few other recipes and it turned out awesome!! I'm so happy I found this website and I can't wait to try more of the recipes!

  11. I noticed this recipe hadn't been updated with the Points+ number as a lot of your others have, just the old WW number. I just wanted to let you all know I entered it in the recipe builder and it comes out to 12 points each for 3 servings under the new system (still great for how yummy it is!)

  12. Hi Gina,
    When u said add white wine, what kind of white wine exactly?

    Sorry for asking something so silly!

    Agnes

  13. Avatar photo
    This Makes My Day

    Hi Gina,

    You surprised me again! Very nice combination of Basil with mussels, I never have tried this combination before but without having eaten it, I’m sure it’s a great and powerful combination. Mmmmmm…I’ll try this recipe very soon! Can’t wait!

  14. wow, your site is wonderful!
    i will enjoy reading it!
    XOXO Diet Diva!

    Please follow my blog too:
    http://dietdivafashionista.blogspot.com/

  15. I love to see your recipes. I have reached my goal weigh, since December 2008 – lost a total of 10kgs – thanks in no small part to following your recipes.

  16. Avatar photo
    LK- Healthy Delicious

    omg. for some reason I always stick to classic French preparations of mussels… and then I see things like this and wonder what on earth is wrong with me and why I don’t branch out more…

  17. I love mussels, my husband usually makes them, but I’ll see if I can’t show him up with your recipe here :o)

  18. I will try this recipe but, for the looks of it, it sounds like you did a fantastic job at cutting down the point-count of the Cozze al Verde! I think the original oil-and-butter-rich version is delicious, but your version looks way more reasonable! hahaha plus, with it being lighter, I can probably have more, right?! Thanks!

  19. @Lindsey, yes, before cooking! Thanks 🙂

    @Maria, Basil is my husbands favorite herb as well so he was quite happy!

  20. “Discard any cracked or unopened shells”

    I think you mean, discard any cracked or OPENED shells before cooking??