Fisherman'S Stew
A hearty seafood stew featuring flaky fish, tender vegetables, and flavorful tomato sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and seafood lovers seeking a comforting, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. flounder, haddock or sole fillets ⓘ
- 3/4 cup celery, chopped medium ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sliced onion ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/4 stick margarine or butter ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. spaghetti, broken in thirds ⓘ
Instructions
- Rinse the fish fillets and set aside.
- In a heavy pan, melt the margarine or butter and cook the chopped celery, sliced onion, and garlic powder until tender.
- Add the tomato sauce, salt, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper to the pan.
- Cover and simmer the mixture for 20 minutes.
- Add water and broken spaghetti to the pan.
- Mix well, cover, and cook until the spaghetti is firm and tender (al dente).
- Add the fish fillets to the stew.
- Cover and simmer until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine when cooking the vegetables. If you don't have flounder or haddock, any firm white fish works well. You can also substitute the spaghetti with another type of pasta or even rice for a different texture. To enhance the dish, add fresh herbs like parsley or basil just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Fisherman’s Stew hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor. This dish pairs beautifully with a side salad or crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a light white wine or a refreshing salad, like Salad Crab Louie.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if the stew thickens too much. Avoid microwaving to preserve the texture of the fish and pasta.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fisherman'S Stew contains roughly 526 calories, with 25g protein, 116g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (96% of the Daily Value), iron (74% of the Daily Value), and protein (50% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2283mg per serving (99% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen fish fillets for this stew?
Yes, you can use frozen fish fillets. Just ensure they are thoroughly thawed before adding them to the stew. This will help them cook evenly and prevent a watery texture in the dish.
What if I want to make this stew spicier?
To increase the heat, you can add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Additionally, incorporating fresh diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes during cooking will enhance the spiciness of the stew.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While the stew is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the base (vegetables and broth) ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just add the pasta and fish during reheating for optimal texture and flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).