Mussels Fra Diavolo With Low-Carb Angel Hair Pasta

Are you ready for something spicy?! This Mussels Fra Diavolo recipe with It’s Skinny Angel Hair is perfect for a low-carb dinner with a kick.

Just because you're watching your weight and eating healthy doesn't mean your meals should be boring. Mussels Fra Diavolo is classy, classic, and exciting, with all the right notes to really satisfy. Don't miss this delicious Italian recipe.

Fra Diavolo Sauce: Devilishly Good

So, where do Mussels Fra Diavolo get their name? In Italian, the words Fra Diavolo mean "with the devil" or "brother devil."

The origins of this dish are hard to pinpoint. Some believe that the dish may be named for Fra Diavolo, the Italian renegade outlaw whose real name was Michele Pezza, but the connection is unclear aside from the diabolical moniker.

The dish itself has often been traditionally served over the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian religious celebration on Christmas Eve. Roman Catholic observers used to avoid meat on the eve of major holidays, so it became a tradition to eat fish on Christmas Eve. Why seven fish? Historians aren't sure, but seven is generally considered a holy number (seven deadly sins, seven days of creation, seven sacraments, and so forth).

If you or your family celebrate the Feast of Seven Fishes or simply enjoy fish on Christmas Eve as a tradition, chances are Fra Diavolo will make an appearance as one of the courses. Here we use mussels, but the dish is also delicious with shrimp, other seafood, and even chicken!

The fiery sauce has plenty of pepper (although you can adjust if you like more or less of a kick) and lots of delicious flavor. You don't need a holiday or even a big Sunday dinner to serve this yummy Italian staple. It's so quick and easy; you can enjoy it on a weeknight too.

Low-Carb Mussels Fra Diavolo with It’s Skinny Pasta

Fra Diavolo is generally a good sauce option if you're looking for a lighter Italian dish. Because the sauce is made with tomatoes, peppers, and aromatics, it's surprisingly low-fat and low-calorie without sacrificing flavor. Mussels are a lean, light protein, as is most seafood.

What really makes this Mussels Fra Diavolo recipe ultra-low carb is the It's Skinny Angel Hair Pasta. We use Angel Hair for this dish because the texture plays nicely with the light and spicy tomato sauce. Mussels and other seafood also pair well with the Angel Hair texture.

It’s Skinny Pasta is the perfect base for a low-carb, low-calorie pasta dish because It’s Skinny contains ZERO net carbs and only nine calories per pack! It may be hard to believe that something can taste this good and still be so good for you.

It’s Skinny gets its killer stats from an ingredient called konjac root. Konjac root is a turnip-like veggie that’s quite popular in Asian countries. The root is high in filling glucomannan fiber, which keeps blood sugar steady and helps you stay satisfied.

It's Skinny has four fantastic varieties—Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Angel Hair, and Rice. It's perfect for lightening up all of your favorite dishes. So enjoy comfort foods your way, with all the flavor and none of the guilt.

If you're ready to try this amazing miracle noodle, you can order It's Skinny online in a convenient 6 pack. Try any variety, or try them all with a variety pack. Once you see how easy and delicious it is to cook with It’s Skinny, you’ll be hooked!

Questions About Mussels Fra Diavolo with It’s Skinny Angel Hair

Wondering about cooking with It’s Skinny? Looking to take your Fra Diavolo recipe in a new direction? Here are some of the common questions about this recipe, answered!

I’ve Never Worked with Mussels—How Do I Clean and Prepare Mussels?

Historically, mussels grown in the wild had to be soaked and “purged.” Because they were grown in mud, they were often quite dirty and required a lot of preparation. Fortunately, environmentally friendly mussel farms are now the norm. Mussels are grown on ropes, keeping them mud-free and super simple to clean.

When you buy mussels, they should be moist and alive. Mussels can turn quickly, so they are sold living. Farmed mussels are usually very clean but give them a good rinse. Look for "fur" or "beards"—these are the membranes that mussels use to attach themselves to rocks. Most farmed mussels will already be de-bearded, but if you notice any membranes, remove them with a knife. Mussels that are open may be dead; tap them with another mussel (or against the countertop). If the mussels don't close or move, then discard them. From there, it's just a matter of cooking and enjoying!

Can I Use Another Protein with Fra Diavolo Sauce?

You can use other proteins with Fra Diavolo sauce. This spicy, tomato-rich sauce pairs very well with all sorts of meat (and it’s even delicious on its own as a vegetarian pasta sauce). Pasta Fra Diavolo is a great base for chicken, shrimp, scallops, or even beef.

How Do I Cook with It’s Skinny Pasta?

Don't be intimidated if you've never cooked with It's Skinny! This delicious keto pasta is easier to use than traditional pasta or rice. There’s no boiling water, no waiting around for the perfect texture, and no worries about overcooking the pasta into mush.

With It’s Skinny, all you do is open the package, drain, and set aside. Some folks like to rinse the pasta and pat it dry (it's up to you). Then, when the rest of your dish is ready, you simply add It's Skinny to the pan. It's that easy. It's Skinny plays well with other ingredients and takes on the surrounding flavors. It won't overpower your dish, and it's ready to eat in just 2 minutes flat!

How Do I Adjust the Spice in Mussels Fra Diavolo?

Mussels Fra Diavolo is a spicy meal. But if you’re making this dish for multiple people, you may want to adjust the spice levels up and down to suit everyone's preference. When you add your red chili to the Fra Diavolo sauce, test a tiny bit of the pepper to see how spicy it is. Chili peppers are usually medium-spicy, but the seeds will increase the heat. Note—it’s a good idea to wear gloves when you work with peppers!

When you add your crushed red pepper to the dish, you can adjust depending on your preference. You could also add additional chopped chilis to the sauce. No matter how much spice you prefer, Fra Diavolo is a great dish to satisfy your cravings.

How to Make this Mussels Fra Diavolo Recipe with It’s Skinny Angel Hair

Ready to do this? Here’s what you need to know to make this delicious Mussels Fra Diavolo recipe with It’s Skinny Angel Hair.