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Cioppino

Savory Cioppino – Italian Fish Stew

  • Author: Lyndy
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4–6 servings 1x

Description

This Cioppino – Italian Fish Stew is a hearty San Francisco classic inspired by Genoese fishermen. Made with scallops, shrimp, mussels, clams, and firm white fish simmered in a garlicky tomato broth, it’s comforting, briny, and bursting with Mediterranean flavor. Perfect for seafood lovers, pescatarians, or anyone craving an impressive yet easy one-pot dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups seafood stock (or fish stock)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 lb sea scallops, tough muscle removed
  • 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 lb firm white fish (cod, halibut, or sea bass), cut into chunks
  • 1/2 lb mussels, scrubbed and debearded
  • 1/2 lb clams, cleaned
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Crusty bread, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Build the flavor base: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, shallots, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Add tomato paste & spices: Stir in tomato paste and red pepper flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes until the paste darkens.
  3. Create the broth: Add crushed tomatoes, seafood stock, water, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes.
  4. Add the seafood: Nestle in scallops, shrimp, fish, mussels, and clams. Cover and simmer 5–7 minutes, until mussels and clams open and shrimp are opaque.
  5. Serve: Remove bay leaves. Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley, and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

  • Use seafood stock or clam juice for deeper flavor.
  • Don’t overcook seafood—add it at the end for best texture.
  • Frozen seafood works too—just thaw and pat dry.
  • Add white beans for extra protein.
  • Serve with lemon wedges and a drizzle of olive oil to brighten flavors.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Soup, Stew, Seafood
  • Method: Simmered, One-Pot
  • Cuisine: Italian-American, Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 980mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: Cioppino, Italian Fish Stew, Seafood Stew, Pescatarian Dinner, Mediterranean Stew, San Francisco Cioppino

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Find it online: https://lyndyskitchen.com/cioppino/