Baked Mussels with Garlic, Tomato & Feta

Baked Mussels with Garlic, Tomato & Feta

Mia

This stunning Mediterranean dish transforms fresh mussels into an elegant, iron-rich dinner that's surprisingly simple to prepare. Plump mussels nestle in a vibrant sauce of garlic-infused tomatoes, briny olives, and creamy feta cheese, then bake until the shellfish open and the sauce bubbles with aromatic intensity. The combination of sweet tomatoes, pungent garlic, and tangy feta creates a flavor profile that's distinctly Greek, while the mussels themselves provide a tender, oceanic bite that pairs beautifully with crusty bread for soaking up every drop of sauce.

Inspired by the coastal tavernas of Greece and the Italian tradition of cozze al forno, this recipe celebrates the Mediterranean's love affair with simple, high-quality ingredients. Mussels are an exceptional source of iron, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a nutritional powerhouse that aligns perfectly with the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. Unlike more labor-intensive seafood preparations, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight entertaining or a special dinner that won't keep you in the kitchen all evening.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability and ease. Fresh mussels require minimal preparation—just a quick scrub and debearding—and they cook rapidly in the oven's heat. The tomato-feta sauce can be prepared while the oven preheats, and once assembled, the dish practically cooks itself. Serve these baked mussels family-style in the baking dish, accompanied by a crisp white wine, a simple green salad, and plenty of crusty bread to complete an authentic Mediterranean feast that transports you straight to the sun-drenched shores of the Aegean Sea.

Nutrition

27 minutes
None servings
285 calories
Fat 14.00g
Carbs 12.00g
Protein 24.00g

Ingredients

2 lbsfresh mussels, scrubbed and debearded
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
6 Nonegarlic cloves, minced
1 can (14 oz)crushed tomatoes
1 cupcherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cupdry white wine
1 tspdried oregano
1/4 tspred pepper flakes
4 ozfeta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped
1 Nonelemon, cut into wedges
1/2 tspsalt
1/4 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
crusty bread, for serving (optional)

Equipment

Wooden spoon
Cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups
chef's knife
serving platter
large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan
scrub brush
oven mitts

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense recipe is perfect for the 16:8 eating window, providing substantial protein and iron from mussels, healthy fats from olive oil, and satisfying flavors that help meet daily nutritional needs within the compressed timeframe. The whole food ingredients offer sustained energy and satiety without relying on processed foods or excessive simple carbohydrates.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 approach with the vast majority of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods: fresh mussels (protein and minerals), vegetables, olive oil, and herbs, while the feta cheese and wine represent the modest 20% of less restrictive ingredients that add flavor and satisfaction without compromising nutritional quality.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is excellent for anti-inflammatory eating, featuring omega-3-rich mussels, anti-inflammatory olive oil, antioxidant-packed tomatoes, and inflammation-fighting garlic and herbs. It completely avoids processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and trans fats while emphasizing nutrient-dense whole foods and beneficial spices like oregano and red pepper flakes.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its use of whole, minimally processed ingredients in their natural state: fresh mussels, extra virgin olive oil, fresh and canned tomatoes, real feta cheese, and fresh herbs. It contains no artificial additives, preservatives, refined sugars, or highly processed components, relying instead on simple preparation methods that highlight quality ingredients.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using only fresh mussels, vegetables, olive oil, feta cheese, and herbs without any wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients. The only consideration is ensuring the crusty bread served alongside is replaced with a certified gluten-free alternative.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe is exceptionally heart-healthy, featuring omega-3-rich mussels, heart-protective olive oil, antioxidant-packed tomatoes, and garlic known for cardiovascular benefits. It avoids saturated fats, trans fats, processed meats, and excessive sodium while using baking as a healthy cooking method, making it ideal for cardiovascular protection.

High-Protein Diet

Mussels are an exceptional high-protein food, providing approximately 20-24 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving, making this recipe ideal for high-protein diets. The dish emphasizes lean, nutrient-dense protein from seafood while limiting refined carbohydrates and featuring the mussels as the star ingredient alongside complementary vegetables and healthy fats.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing high-quality protein and iron from mussels, healthy fats from olive oil, and sustained energy from whole food ingredients. The dish maximizes nutritional value with vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals while avoiding processed foods and refined sugars, helping practitioners feel satisfied throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, flavorful meal that honors both taste preferences and gentle nutrition without restriction or guilt. The dish provides protein, healthy fats, and vegetables in a balanced, pleasurable way that encourages mindful enjoyment and satisfaction from eating.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish that perfectly embodies the diet's principles with extra virgin olive oil, abundant vegetables (tomatoes, garlic), seafood (mussels), herbs (oregano, parsley), and feta cheese. It emphasizes heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids from the mussels, uses minimal processing, and relies on traditional Mediterranean flavors while avoiding red meat and processed ingredients entirely.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health through the MIND Diet by featuring omega-3-rich seafood (mussels), olive oil as the primary fat, abundant vegetables including tomatoes and leafy parsley, and brain-protective herbs. It avoids butter, red meat, and fried foods while providing nutrients essential for cognitive function and neuroprotection.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is ideal for mindful eating with its diverse textures (tender mussels, creamy feta, juicy tomatoes), vibrant colors, and aromatic intensity from garlic and herbs that engage multiple senses. The whole, minimally processed ingredients and Mediterranean preparation encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation of each component.

Vegetarian Diet

While mussels are technically seafood, they are often accepted in pescatarian-vegetarian diets. However, this recipe contains seafood (mussels) and would NOT be suitable for strict vegetarians who avoid all animal flesh including fish and shellfish.

Weight Watchers

This dish aligns with Weight Watchers principles by featuring lean protein from mussels (a low-calorie, nutrient-dense seafood), abundant non-starchy vegetables, and minimal added fats. The recipe emphasizes whole, unprocessed ingredients and provides satisfying flavors without relying on heavy creams or excessive oils, making it a smart choice for weight management.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position the rack in the middle of the oven.

1 min
2

Rinse the mussels under cold running water, scrubbing the shells with a brush to remove any debris. Pull off the beards (the fibrous threads) by tugging them toward the hinge of the shell. Discard any mussels that are open and don't close when tapped.

8 min
3
2 min

Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.

4
1 min

Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.

5
1 min

Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 1 minute to cook off the alcohol.

6

Add the crushed tomatoes, halved cherry tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

2 min
7

Arrange the cleaned mussels in a single layer over the tomato sauce, nestling them into the liquid. The mussels should be partially submerged but not completely covered.

1 min
8

Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the mussels and sauce.

9

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the mussels have opened and the sauce is bubbling. Discard any mussels that remain closed after cooking.

12 min
10

Remove the skillet from the oven (use oven mitts as the handle will be very hot). Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top.

11

Serve immediately in the skillet or transfer to a serving platter. Accompany with lemon wedges for squeezing over the mussels and crusty bread for soaking up the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions