This Rustic Seafood Soup is a cozy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Loaded with clams, shrimp, cod, and a creamy broth infused with smoked paprika, this soup is a taste of the coast right in your own kitchen. The dish is enhanced with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and parsley, creating a hearty and satisfying seafood experience. Pair it with crusty bread and a glass of white wine for the ultimate meal!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 cup diced red onion

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 2 ½ pounds Littleneck clams

• 1 cup dry white wine

• 4 cups chicken stock (seafood stock works great too)

• ½ cup heavy cream

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 1 pound shrimp (thawed and deveined)

• 12 oz Alaska cod (thawed and cut into bite-sized chunks)

• 1 cup chopped parsley

• Coarse salt to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the Clams: Before cooking, let the clams sit in cold salted water for at least an hour to remove grit and sand. Scrub each clam under running water and discard any that remain open.

2. Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, sautéing for 3-5 minutes until softened and browned.

3. Steam the Clams: Add the cleaned clams and white wine to the pot. Cover with a lid and let the clams steam for about 8-10 minutes until all the clams open up. Discard any that remain closed. Remove the clams with tongs and set aside.

4. Simmer the Soup Base: Add the chicken stock, heavy cream, smoked paprika, and diced tomatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

5. Cook the Seafood: Add the shrimp and cod to the pot, cooking for an additional 8 minutes or until the seafood is cooked through.

6. Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped parsley and a pinch of salt. Return the clams to the pot and give it a gentle stir. Serve immediately with crusty bread and a glass of white wine.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 330 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 12g

• Protein: 35g

• Fat: 14g

  • Saturated Fat: 6g

  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g

  • Monounsaturated Fat: 6g

• Cholesterol: 215mg

• Sodium: 875mg

• Potassium: 562mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 5g

• Vitamin A: 200 IU

• Vitamin C: 12mg

• Calcium: 90mg

• Iron: 2mg

The Heart of the Soup: Fresh Seafood

The star ingredients in this Rustic Seafood Soup are the clams, shrimp, and cod. Littleneck clams, known for their sweet, tender meat, are the perfect choice for this dish. They add depth and flavor to the broth, while also providing that satisfying briny taste of the ocean. Be sure to clean the clams thoroughly to remove any grit or sand. Soaking them in cold salted water before cooking helps to expel any unwanted particles.

The shrimp in this soup are deveined and thawed, adding a nice texture and a natural sweetness to balance out the savory flavors. The cod, cut into bite-sized chunks, provides a flaky and mild texture that complements the other seafood without overpowering the dish.

A Flavorful Broth: Creamy with a Hint of Smoked Paprika

The broth for this soup is the key to its flavor. The combination of white wine, chicken stock (or seafood stock), and heavy cream creates a creamy base that’s rich and indulgent but not too heavy. The white wine adds acidity and brightness, helping to balance out the richness of the cream. The smoked paprika is what gives the soup its signature smoky depth, adding a warm, earthy flavor that complements the seafood perfectly.

The diced tomatoes add a touch of sweetness and a vibrant color to the soup, while the garlic and onions sautéed at the beginning provide a savory base that enhances the overall flavor. This blend of ingredients creates a well-rounded, flavorful broth that perfectly coats the seafood.

Cooking the Soup: Simple and Quick

One of the best things about this Rustic Seafood Soup is how easy it is to make. Start by sautéing the onions and garlic in olive oil until they are softened and browned, releasing their aromatic flavors. Then, add the clams and white wine to the pot, steaming them until they open up. This is when the flavors start to come together, and you can smell the richness of the wine and the seafood. Be sure to discard any clams that don’t open, as these may not be safe to eat.

Next, you’ll add the chicken stock, heavy cream, smoked paprika, and diced tomatoes to the pot, creating a rich and flavorful base. Once the soup base is simmering, the shrimp and cod are added and cooked until they are just tender. This step only takes about 8 minutes, making this soup a quick and easy meal to prepare, even on a busy weeknight.

Finishing Touches

Once the seafood is cooked, stir in the chopped parsley for a burst of freshness, and add a pinch of salt to taste. The final step is to return the clams to the soup, letting them heat through and infuse the broth with their oceanic flavor. Serve the soup immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired. Pair it with crusty bread for dipping and a refreshing glass of white wine, and you’ve got yourself a truly special meal.

Serving Suggestions

Rustic Seafood Soup is satisfying on its own, but you can make it a more substantial meal by pairing it with a variety of sides. Crusty bread is a must, as it’s perfect for soaking up the rich broth. You can also serve it with a light salad to balance the richness of the soup—perhaps a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette or a Mediterranean-style cucumber and tomato salad.

For a more complete meal, you could serve it with roasted vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts. The freshness of the vegetables would complement the richness of the soup and add some additional texture to the meal.

Nutritional Information

This Rustic Seafood Soup is a flavorful and hearty dish that provides a solid balance of nutrients. Each serving contains around 330 calories, making it a relatively light yet filling meal. With 35 grams of protein per serving, the soup offers a good amount of lean protein from the shrimp, cod, and clams, helping to support muscle repair and overall health.

The soup contains 14 grams of fat, including 6 grams of saturated fat, which comes from the olive oil, butter, and heavy cream used in the recipe. While it is rich, the fat content is balanced by the protein and the relatively low carbohydrate count of 12 grams per serving. The soup also provides 1 gram of fiber and 5 grams of sugar, most of which come naturally from the tomatoes.

With its 875 mg of sodium per serving, the soup is a bit higher in salt, primarily due to the stock and seasonings. However, it also provides 321 mg of potassium, helping to balance the sodium levels. The soup is a good source of calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C, which are essential for bone health, immune function, and overall wellness.

Customizing the Recipe

While this Rustic Seafood Soup is delicious as written, it can be easily customized based on your preferences or dietary needs. For example, you could add other types of seafood, such as mussels, scallops, or lobster, for an even more luxurious seafood experience. If you prefer a spicier soup, you could add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the broth.

For a lighter version, you could reduce the amount of heavy cream or substitute it with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative. If you’re looking to make the soup even heartier, you could add potatoes or carrots, or serve it with a grain like quinoa or farro.

Conclusion

Rustic Seafood Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that brings the best of the ocean right to your kitchen. With its tender clams, shrimp, and cod, cooked in a creamy, smoky broth, this soup is perfect for special occasions or just a cozy weeknight meal. The combination of seafood, rich flavors, and fresh herbs creates a dish that is both satisfying and indulgent. Whether served with crusty bread or a light salad, this soup will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection.