Easy Homemade Italian Fish Soup, full of big pieces of all your favorite fish such as haddock, shrimp, mussels and clams all combined in a perfectly spiced tomato broth.
A delicious comfort dish, a little bit stew, a little bit soup! The perfect Fish Soup recipe.
Italian Fish Stew
Italian Fish StewDo you ever make something and while you are eating it think “Oh Wow this is so good, I have no idea why the heck I don’t make it more often”?
Well this is exactly what I said while I was eating this Italian Fish Soup.
I don’t remember my mother-in-law making Fish Soup very often, so I happened to get this recipe from another of my sister-in-laws quite a few years ago.
This is her mother’s recipe. It is easy, quick and so full of flavour, your house will smell amazing while this soup is simmering.
Italian Fish Soup was at one time considered a Poor Man’s Soup, all the leftover pieces of fish were added into a soup, at least that is what the Italian said.
Fish Soup
But I also read that it originated from when the fishermen would sell their fish and whatever was left was made into a soup or stew. Personally I like a thicker broth, more like a stew, than a soup.
More Delicious Italian Soups
Chunky Thick Italian Beef Stew
I used approximately 6 or 7 different types of fish and seafood. Mussels, shrimp, haddock, clams, perch, squid, a few cloves of garlic, fresh herbs, Tomato Puree
and of course some hot pepper flakes and with this you will have one of the most delicious Fish Soups.
Italian Fish Soup
With the arrival of Easter, Good Friday is the Biggest Fish eating day with Christmas Eve being a close second in Italy.
Italians like to eat this Easy Italian Fish Soup with a piece of grilled Italian bread placed at the bottom of a bowl and the soup poured on top.
If you don’t have time to grill the bread or like me you forget, a nice thick slice of Italian crust bread is delicious also but if you do have some extra time this delicious Easy Focaccia Bread would be perfect.
Or my favourite, just serve the bread on the side for easy dunking and soaking up all that amazing tasty leftover sauce in the bowl. Buon Appetito!
Easy Homemade Italian Fish Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound cut up assorted fish (eg. shrimp,prawns, cod, haddock, calamari, mussels, clams etc)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic chopped
- hot pepper flakes to taste
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 3/4 cup tomato puree
- 1 1/4 -1 1/2 cups water (depending on how thick you want it, more soup or stew)
- salt to taste I added a pinch
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 4 slices thick Italian crust bread grilled or plain
Instructions
- In a large pot add olive oil, garlic and hot pepper flakes, heat on medium for one minute and then flatten with a fork.
- Add cut up assorted fish, cook one minute. Add white wine and cook on medium-high for approximately 3 minutes. Add tomato puree and water, oregano, basil, salt to taste and fresh parsley, stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer for approximately 30 minutes and until thickened. Serve over grilled crusty Italian bread or with crusty Italian bread. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Leah says
I have made this soup recipe many times and it always turns out great. Thank you for posting.
Rosemary says
Hi Leah, thanks so much, so glad you enjoy it.
MARY KAY SMITH says
KNOW THIS WILL BE DELICIOUS – LIKE ALL YOUR RECIPES
REALLY APPRECIATE THEY ARE SO EASY TO PRINT. CAN’T WAIT TO TRY IT.
THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL RECIPES.
Rosemary says
Hi Mary Kay, thanks so much, I hope you like it. Let me know. Have a great weekend.
Joline says
I had si much frozen fish to use up and decided to try this. Amazing! I made a fish broth in my instant pot with the shrimp shells first, then user that instead of water, and used tomato sauce instead of pureed. I also had fresh basil on hand, and used about 4 tbsp instead of dried. Followed the recipe perfectly otherwise and it was amazing! Topped with fresh parmesan. Recipe was super easy to follow and complete. Oh my goodness….this was awesome.
Rosemary says
Hi Joline, thanks, so glad you enjoyed it. And thank you for sharing. Have a great week.
Sharon says
This soup was delicious! I made this soup two days ago, and I just finished the rest of it today. I took my finicky mom a small bowl, and she loved it! Her only complaint was that she didn’t have enough.
The only changes I made was to omit the white wine (I don’t drink), used tomato sauce in place of the tomato puree, and added a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (that really kicked up the flavor). And, I only used tilapia, but I might add some salmon later.
The soup tasted even better after being in the fridge for two days. I plan to make a big batch, and freeze some of it for later.
Thank you for this recipe! Mom & I loved it!!
Rosemary says
Hi Sharon, thanks so much, so glad you and your Mom loved it. And with added salmon I think it will be even better I think. 🙂
Simi says
Very easy recipe and tasted just great ??
Rosemary says
Thanks so much Simi, so glad you liked it. Rosemary
Susan Linck says
December 26, 2017
I made this for Christmas Eve a few days ago and it is so fantastic I am making it again right now!
Rosemary says
Hi Susan, thanks. I just may have to redo it also. Happy New Year.
Susan linck says
This stew is a 10! I made it for The Feast of the 7 Fishes on Christmas Eve and am making again right now!!! Easy, delicious, flexible dish!!! Love Love Love!!!!
Liam says
Stumbled upon this recipe earlier and am cooking it as I type. It smells fantastic , very authentic and reminds me of eating on the beach in Sorrento. I tried Tex’s fish stock and a couple of other little tweaks. The house smells amazing. The cat is going wild !
Rosemary says
Hi Liam, so glad to hear how delicious it smells I hope you found it delicious in taste too! Haha I hope you share with your cat. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Tex says
We live on the coast and lots of fresh seafood is available but must limit fat intake. This soup is perfect. I will mak ea few tweaks to the recipe like fish stock instead of water, more wine and puree fresh tomatoes. Also will adjust cooking times for different kinds of fish: squid “forvere”, mussels 3 minutes etc. etc. Everything else is perfect. Thanks ever so much.
Rosemary says
Hi Tex, thanks glad you enjoyed it.
Samantha says
I made this for supper tonight. It’s fantastic! I didn’t have any white wine but I had red and it tasted great. Thanks for posting this.
Rosemary says
Hi Samantha so glad you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.
michele says
I can’t wait to try this…. the name easy hooked me, and it looks just delicious and perfect for a sunday meal!
Rosemary says
Hi Michele, thank you hope you enjoy it. Happy Easter.
Cathy Lawdanski says
I love fish soup and this is so easy, just like you said. And I can get whatever fish is fresh and on sale that the store. Pinning & Stumbling!
Rosemary says
Thanks Cathy, hope you enjoy it. Happy Easter.
Lucy @ Globe Scoffers recipes says
This looks delicious!
Rosemary says
Thanks Lucy, Happy Easter!
Leigh says
I can’t wait to try this it’s looks and sounds amazing! (Thursday Favorite Things)
Rosemary says
Thanks Leigh, enjoy and Happy Easter!
Angela says
I love just about anything & everything Italian, but especially Italian Soups! This sounds fabulous & seems quick & easy to make. I am looking forward to trying it, Yummed & Pinned 🙂 Also, would love for you to share this as the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up at: www.marathonsandmotivation.com
Rosemary says
Thanks Angela and I shared it. Happy Easter.
Angela says
Thank you for sharing!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed.com says
Gorgeous pictures of this soup!
Rosemary says
Thanks Megan, Happy Easter.
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
Looks so good, Rosemary – love reading the history of this dish, I can see why people love it so much.
Rosemary says
Hi April, thanks it was really tasty, sometimes Italian food history is very interesting, everyone has their version ;).