Description
This easy cioppino recipe is a flavorful Italian-American seafood stew made with a medley of fresh fish, shrimp, scallops, and mussels simmered in a rich tomato, white wine, and clam juice broth. Perfect for a comforting meal that comes together quickly on the stovetop, it’s bursting with herbs and spices and served with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1/2 pound cod or another firm white fish, cut into chunks
- 1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound sea scallops
- 1/2 pound mussels or clams, scrubbed and debearded
Base and Broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup seafood or chicken broth
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
Garnish
- Chopped parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Broth: Add the crushed tomatoes, clam juice, white wine, seafood or chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Fish: Add the chunks of cod or firm white fish to the pot and simmer for 3 minutes so the fish begins to cook.
- Add Shellfish: Next, add the shrimp, scallops, and mussels or clams. Cover and cook for another 5–7 minutes, or until the shellfish have opened and the shrimp have turned pink and are cooked through. Discard any unopened shellfish.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf and ladle the cioppino into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges alongside crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- Feel free to customize your seafood selection – calamari, crab legs, or lobster tails all make great additions.
- For a spicier stew, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a splash of hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
