How to Make Cacciucco: A Flavorful Italian Seafood Stew

Table of Contents

Toggle

#Cacciucco

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Equipment

• Equipment Needed: Large pot, sauté pan, wooden spoon, ladle, knife, cutting board

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• For the Cacciucco
• Seafood:
• 1 pound of shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1 pound of calamari sliced into rings
• 1 pound of white fish like cod or halibut, cut into chunks
• 1 pound of mussels or clams cleaned
• Base:
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes adjust to taste
• 1 can 14 oz of diced tomatoes
• 4 cups of fish stock or broth
• Seasoning:
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
• Zest of 1 lemon for brightness
• For Serving
• Crusty Italian bread optional, but highly recommended
• Step-by-Step Instructions

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
• Start by prepping all your seafood and vegetables. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Rinse the seafood under cold water and pat dry.
• Step 2: Sauté the Base
• In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
• Step 3: Build the Stew
• Add the diced tomatoes to the pot, cooking for about 2-3 minutes. Then, pour in the fish stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
• Step 4: Add the Seafood
• Once the broth is simmering, add the calamari and cook for about 5 minutes. Next, stir in the white fish and mussels (or clams). Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the mussels open up and the fish is cooked through. Finally, add the shrimp and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
• Step 5: Finishing Touches
• Once everything is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest and garnish with chopped parsley.
• Step 6: Let It Stand
• Allow the Cacciucco to sit for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
• Step 7: Serve
• Serve the Cacciucco hot, with slices of crusty Italian bread for dipping.
• Variations
• Different Seafood: Feel free to swap in other seafood like scallops, lobster, or crab.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute seafood with hearty vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers for a delicious vegetarian version.
• Spicy Twist: If you love spice, try adding a splash of hot sauce or diced fresh chili peppers.

Cacciucco is a delicious, hearty seafood stew that hails from the Tuscan coast of Italy. It’s a dish packed with flavors, perfect for impressing your friends at dinner or enjoying a cozy night in. From my own personal experience, this recipe is versatile, allowing you to mix and match seafood to your liking. Let me show you how I make this delightful dish.

Notes on What to Expect

Cacciucco offers a rich, savory flavor profile that balances the sweetness of the seafood with the acidity of tomatoes. It’s a comforting dish that warms the soul and can be adjusted to suit various preferences. You’ll love how versatile this dish is, making it a wonderful addition to any home cook’s repertoire.

With its hearty ingredients and robust flavors, Cacciucco is not just a meal; it’s an experience. Enjoy every bite and share it with loved ones for an authentic taste of Italian cuisine.

Quick Meal Facts

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Time to Stand: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Ease of Cooking: Moderate
• Servings: 4-6
• Calories: Approximately 350 per serving
• Cost of Ingredients: $25 – $40 (depends on seafood choices)
• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Main dish
• Equipment Needed: Large pot, sauté pan, wooden spoon, ladle, knife, cutting board
• Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making  #Cacciucco   here 

Ingredients

For the Cacciucco

• Seafood:
  • 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound of calamari, sliced into rings
  • 1 pound of white fish (like cod or halibut), cut into chunks
  • 1 pound of mussels or clams, cleaned
• Base:
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups of fish stock or broth
• Seasoning:
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Zest of 1 lemon (for brightness)

For Serving

• Crusty Italian bread (optional, but highly recommended)
• Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making  #Cacciucco   here 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Start by prepping all your seafood and vegetables. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Rinse the seafood under cold water and pat dry.

Step 2: Sauté the Base

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Stew

Add the diced tomatoes to the pot, cooking for about 2-3 minutes. Then, pour in the fish stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Add the Seafood

Once the broth is simmering, add the calamari and cook for about 5 minutes. Next, stir in the white fish and mussels (or clams). Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the mussels open up and the fish is cooked through. Finally, add the shrimp and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Once everything is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest and garnish with chopped parsley.

Step 6: Let It Stand

Allow the Cacciucco to sit for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully.

Step 7: Serve

Serve the Cacciucco hot, with slices of crusty Italian bread for dipping.

Variations

• Different Seafood: Feel free to swap in other seafood like scallops, lobster, or crab.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute seafood with hearty vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers for a delicious vegetarian version.
• Spicy Twist: If you love spice, try adding a splash of hot sauce or diced fresh chili peppers.

Tips and Substitutions

• For Gluten-Free Diets: Serve with gluten-free bread or skip the bread altogether.
• Lower Sodium: Use low-sodium broth to control the salt content.
• Fresh vs. Frozen Seafood: While fresh seafood is ideal, frozen can be a convenient and budget-friendly option.
• Check out the right equipment and Ingredients that you need for making  #Cacciucco   here 

Nutritional Information

• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fat: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Cholesterol: 150mg

Troubleshooting Tips

• Seafood Overcooked: If overcooked, the seafood can become rubbery. Ensure to add shrimp last, as it cooks quickly.
• Too Salty: If the stew turns out too salty, adding a bit of sugar or a splash of vinegar can help balance the flavors.