What Main Course Goes With Mussels Starter? 5 Best Meals!
Decided to serve up mussels as a starter, but not sure about what main course you should choose?
You’re in the right place!
Planning menus for dinner parties and gatherings with family and friends is one of my favourite activities. I love considering the flavour profiles of different dishes and ingredients, and selecting the starters and main courses that just make sense and will create the most delicious dinner.
Whether you’re going for mussels with a simple white wine sauce, a rich tomato and chilli broth, or something a little more out of the ordinary, I’ve got you covered.
What’s the best main course for a mussels starter?
The best main courses after a mussels starter include steak with all the trimmings, salmon pasta in a creamy tomato sauce, roast rack of lamb with crushed potatoes, chicken piccata with mashed potatoes, and a meat and cheese charcuterie board.
Read on to find out more…
1. Fillet steak with all the trimmings
If you’re catering for meat eaters, you really can’t go wrong with steak as an option for what to serve after a mussels starter.
It’s pretty simple to prepare, but it’s impressive, satisfying, and equally worthy of a place at a fairly casual weekend dinner as a fancy special occasion.
Because mussels are a light starter, you can happily serve up this mighty main course.
When it comes to the side dishes, some of the best ideas include:
- Homemade chunky chips
- Dauphinoise potatoes
- Grilled asparagus, tomatoes, and mushrooms
- Leafy green salad
Be sure to add a sauce too. My favourite is peppercorn, but you can consider mushroom, red wine, or Diane.
2. Salmon pasta with sun-dried tomato cream sauce and spinach
Carry on the seafood theme with salmon pasta with sun-dried tomato cream sauce and spinach.
This is the perfect main course after mussels if you’re cooking for pescatarians, or if you simply want to create a sunny seafood theme and celebrate the various fruits of the ocean.
The creamy sauce is to die for! Think lashings of double cream, garlic, juicy sun-dried tomatoes, sweet and peppery paprika, and the satisfying heat of dried chilli flakes.
The whole dish is lively and fun, and though it takes just half an hour from start to finish, it really is restaurant quality and is sure to get you some very high praise indeed from your guests!
Can’t get hold of salmon? Trout would be a great alternative.
3. Roast rack of lamb with garlic and herbs with crushed potatoes
Say hello to this super elegant main course for mussels…
This roast rack of lamb is covered in a Mediterranean garlic and herb marinade before being roasted in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
It’s a lot easier than you might think, and it’s a beautiful way to prepare what’s often considered to be the finest cut of lamb.
I love serving mussels followed by rack of lamb when I’m cooking for adults. It’s a combination that just oozes sophistication, and it’s perfect when you’re celebrating something special, or just want to make the everyday that little bit more exciting.
These crushed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment, and they’re a rustic yet modern alternative to traditional mash. There’s also the added bonus that you won’t have to peel any spuds!
4. Chicken piccata with creamy mashed potatoes
When you’re looking for a main course for a mussels starter, another strong contender is chicken piccata.
You’ll pan sear a chicken breast to retain a moist and juicy texture, whilst whipping up a bright, zesty, and utterly delicious lemon and caper butter sauce.
It’s indulgent whilst also being light and fresh, and I personally think it’s best served after mussels on a warm spring evening, with a crisp glass of your favourite dry white wine. Perfection!
You’ll need chicken breast, capers, a lemon, butter, white wine, parmesan, and flour. All readily available ingredients that you can pick up at your local store, so this choice works even if you’re planning something super last minute.
The best side dish for your vibrant piccata is a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes, which are practically essential for soaking up that mouthwatering sauce.
5. Meat and cheese charcuterie board
I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I’m hosting a dinner party for friends, the last thing I want to do is spend all my time in the kitchen.
I want to be sitting at the table with my guests, enjoying the food and the conversation, and not having to worry about what needs to be taken out of the oven and when!
For a completely fuss-free, make ahead main course for a mussels starter, try a meat and cheese charcuterie board.
You can prep it in advance so it requires zero attention once your guests have arrived, and there are endless combinations to choose from so you can tailor it to your personal tastes.
Alongside your favourite meats and cold cuts, you can add nuts, fruits, pickles, crackers, and olives.
Want to make it look amazing, but not quite sure where to start? Check out this guide to styling a charcuterie board. It’s super easy to follow and will help you to create Pinterest worthy presentation!
Main courses to serve after a mussels starter
The best main courses to serve after a mussels starter include:
- Steak with all the trimmings
- Salmon pasta with sun-dried tomato cream sauce and spinach
- Roast rack of lamb with garlic and herbs and crushed potatoes
- Chicken piccata with creamy mashed potatoes
- Meat and cheese charcuterie board
Selecting any of these for your next dinner party will guarantee you a well balanced, tempting meal that everyone at the table will love!
