Easy Squid Pasta With Marinara Sauce

A restaurant-quality squid pasta with marinara sauce that is very inexpensive and easy to make! This seafood pasta recipe requires minimal ingredients. It's the perfect pasta to make as a weeknight dinner or on special occasions without breaking the bank.

In this recipe, I will show you how to make delicious seafood dishes on a budget. This squid pasta will prove that you can make a five-star meal in your kitchen and at a fraction of what you’d pay at a restaurant.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Squid Pasta with Marinara Sauce Recipe:
• Is Squid The Same Thing As Calamari?
• Ingredients for Squid Pasta:
• The Best Way to Cook Squid:
• How to Make Squid Pasta:
• How to Store Leftover Seafood Pasta:
• Reheating:
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

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Why You'll Love This Squid Pasta with Marinara Sauce Recipe:

• Flavorful. The squid is cooked gently in a homemade marinara sauce, which is a garlicky tomato sauce. This marinara sauce is made completely from scratch, using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry: garlic and San Marzano tomatoes. Additionally, I included clam juice and dry white wine to enhance the flavors and add a vibrant and fresh touch to the seafood pasta. Afterward, it's mixed with pasta to make a full meal.

• Simple to Assemble. This squid pasta recipe is straightforward to make. While it might take a bit of time, it doesn't need advanced cooking skills, lots of prep work, or constant attention.

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Is Squid The Same Thing As Calamari?

Calamari means "squid" in Italian and Spanish. Most calamari is made from squid less than 12 inches in length, also refer as baby squid.

In the US we use the word calamari for our deep-fried squid dishes. I enjoy those but prefer it even more when it’s not deep-fried.

A quick tip if you have ink from your squid don’t throw it away as you can use it to make squid ink pasta!

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Ingredients for Squid Pasta:

This fancy dish doesn't need a lot of ingredients. Here's what you'll use:

1. Squid (tubes and tentacles): Squid is the main ingredient. The tubes are the long parts and the tentacles are the smaller parts.
2. San Marzano tomatoes, canned: These are special kinds of tomatoes that are canned. They add flavor and a nice texture to the dish.
3. Garlic: This adds a strong, delicious umami flavor to the sauce.
4. Dry white wine: White wine gives a tangy taste and helps to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
5. Clam juice or broth: Clam juice is a liquid made from clams that adds a seafood taste to the dish. If you don't have it, you can use chicken broth instead.
6. Italian seasoning: This is a mixture of different herbs and spices that give an Italian flavor to the dish.
7. Spaghetti or Fettuccine: These are types of pasta that you'll use as the base for the dish.

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The Best Way to Cook Squid:

Squid is cheap, versatile, and tasty. It can be grilled, fried, boiled, braised, or seared. Squid should either be cooked fast over high heat or slow over low heat.  

In this recipe, you are going to cook the squid in the sauce over low heat until tender for about 20-25 minutes.

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How to Make Squid Pasta:

Here are some important steps to follow.

Step 1. Make Marinara Sauce

• First, sauté garlic just until fragrant
• After that, add white wine and cook until the liquid is reduced to about half the quantity.
• Next, add clam juice, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the sauce is reduced and thickened (enough sauce to cover the cooked pasta, about 1½ cups).

• Last, add the fresh squid. Cook over low heat until very tender for about 20-25 minutes. Do not allow it to boil.

Step 2. Cook Pasta

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta for about 2 minutes less than the direction for al dente (cooked through but still firm). Drain the pasta well and return it to the pot.

Step 3. Combine All Ingredients

First, you need to remove the cooked squid from the marinara sauce. Add molto al dente pasta (slightly undercooked) to the sauce and cook for 2 minutes. Add the squid back into the sauce. Stir to combine.

How to Store Leftover Seafood Pasta:

To start, allow the seafood pasta to cool down at room temperature, but make sure it doesn't sit out for more than 2 hours. Then, transfer any leftovers into an airtight container.

You can store the leftover pasta in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. For additional food safety guidance, please visit this website.

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Reheating:

To reheat squid pasta, you can follow these steps:

1. Stovetop Method: Place a saucepan over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil or butter to prevent sticking. Once the pan is hot, add the leftover squid pasta and stir occasionally until heated through. You can add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
2. Microwave Method: Transfer the leftover squid pasta to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on medium heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated thoroughly.
3. Oven Method: Preheat your oven to around 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover squid pasta in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Regardless of the method you choose, make sure to check the pasta periodically to avoid overcooking. Once heated through, serve and enjoy!

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Check Out More Easy Pasta Recipes:

1. Instant Pot Penne Pasta
2. Canned Tuna Pasta
3. White Sauce Pasta
4. Bratwurst Pasta
5. Clam Pasta

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I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.

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