Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (2023)

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Ridiculously easy to put together, but with the wow factor to astonish all foodies! Use dried pasta to make a quick weeknight dinner, or go all out and make your own fresh homemade squid ink linguine for a decadent showstopper dish! Whichever option you use, our Squid Ink Pasta with Seafood is one of the most delicious pasta dishes on our Italian cuisine-inspired recipe list!

Take Me To:

  • Why Is Squid Ink Seafood Pasta So Special?
  • How To Make Squid Ink Pasta From Scratch?
  • Where To Buy Squid Ink Pasta?
  • Ingredients
  • Method
  • Recipe FAQs
  • What To Serve with Seafood Pasta?
  • Other Tasty Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Card

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Why Is Squid Ink Seafood Pasta So Special?

Italian classics are the best! Whilst spaghetti bolognese and carbonara have long become British family classics, making seafood pasta is somewhat reserved for more special occasions. We are no exception! You know it’s a special occasion here, in Somebody Feed Seb kitchen when we are cooking seafood.

We previously cooked this Italian Squid Ink Pasta on Valentine’s Day! This year we are making it for Halloween! I’ll admit, we never celebrate or even acknowledge this day, but this time we decided to take every opportunity to recognise all the festive occasions. So for this Halloween, we are making one of our seafood favourites – Ink Squid Pasta with White Wine Sauce. Black as the night, spooky as can be!

Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (1)

Believe it or not, this pasta dish, which sounds, looks and tastes extremely impressive, comes together in no time! And with very minimal effort. We opted for an easy version, using frozen (cooked) seafood mix. No deshelling, or cleaning the prawns or clams, but all the flavour and decadence that seafood offers! Using a frozen mix also makes this recipe very affordable. You can definitely make it for around £2 per portion!

How To Make Squid Ink Pasta From Scratch?

If you’d like to make your own pasta,here’s our articlewith all the tips on how to make it at home. You can buy squid ink to colour/flavour your pasta online, atSous CheforAmazon. To make ours, we used:

First, add 4 g of squid ink to your eggs or water and beat to combine (don’t worry if it doesn’t blend in well, it will all combine in the kneading process). We use and love Nortindal Ink. It comes in handy 4 g sachets, so they are not messy to use and store! Link to squid ink,here. Then make your pasta as normal (plus account for some extra time to wash your hands…don’t worry it doesn’t stain your skin). Read more on themethod for making your pasta dough here.

Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (2)

Where To Buy Squid Ink Pasta?

If you’re looking for an effortless meal that looks the part, you can find squid ink pasta in larger supermarkets.Ocadoand Marks & Spensers have it here in the UK. Alternatively, there are plenty ofsquid ink pasta options on Amazon.

Ingredients

Our Seafood Pasta recipe is something in between a good oldClamsandSeafood. Made with a buttery white wine sauce and baby plum tomatoes and defrosted seafood mix, this Italian Pasta Dish is to die for! The best thing is, it’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner and certainly majestic enough to impress guests!

Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (3)

If you’re excited, let’s jump into the recipe below!

Method

Defrost your seafood (if using frozen cooked seafood mix) in advance. Get all your ingredients ready, weighed out and chopped. Deseed and finely chop the red chilli. Peel and finely chop garlic cloves. Finely chop the parsley stalks and keep them separately from roughly chopped parsley leaves. Weigh out your butter and white wine.

Cook your pasta following packet instructions. If you’re making your own pasta, we recommend makingEgg Pasta Doughwith 4g of squid ink added. If you’re cooking fresh pasta, cook it just before your sauce and seafood are ready (it will only take 2-3 minutes).

About 5 minutes before your pasta is ready, heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil and butter in a large non-stick frying pan on low-medium heat. Add garlic, parsley stalks and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (4)
Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (5)
Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (6)

Add the chilli and tomatoes. Stir constantly for a minute or two just until the garlic starts to colour. Then add in the defrosted seafood and pour in the white wine. Increase the heat slightly. Keep stirring for another minute until the seafood has warmed through, then take off the heat. Don’t worry if it looks like a lot of sauce, your pasta will absorb most of it if it’s cooked al dente. And whatever sauce is left in your bowl, you can mop up with some crusty bread!

Drain the pasta and add to the seafood pan. Add the parsley leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Toss for another 30 seconds to coat the pasta in the sauce.

Serve immediately!

Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (7)

Recipe FAQs

What Sauce Goes With Squid Ink Pasta?

We love our white wine butter sauce with it, but if you are looking for alternatives, try it with a simple herb and garlic tomato sauce! And if you want to make it even more decadent, add a splash of cream to the sauce too!

Does Squid Ink Pasta Turn Your Mouth Black?

No, not really. It leaves no stains on your teeth at all. But if you are making your own pasta dough, your hands will be black after kneading. It washes off with warm water and soap though 🙂

What To Serve with Seafood Pasta?

This dish is perfect with a slice of crusty bread to mop up the sauce at the bottom of your pasta bowl! Make asimple sourdough breadand serve it alongside this Italian Squid Ink Pasta recipe.

Other Tasty Pasta Recipes

For other easy pasta dishes, have a look at our recipes that we enjoy just as much as this Seafood Pasta:

  • Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
  • Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta
  • Easy Lentil ‘Meatballs’ with Spaghetti
  • Tagliatelle with Feta, Tenderstem Broccoli and Fried Lemon

Recipe Card

Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (8)

Squid Ink Pasta with Seafood

Ridiculously easy to put together, but with the wow factor to astonish all foodies! Use dried pasta to make a quick weeknight dinner, or go all out and make your own fresh homemade squid ink linguine for a decadent showstopper dish! Whichever option you use, our Squid Ink Pasta with Seafood is one of the most delicious pasta dishes on our Italian cuisine inspired recipe list!

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Prep Time10minutes mins

Cook Time15minutes mins

Total Time25minutes mins

CourseDinner, Main Course

CuisineItalian, Mediterranean

Servings2 portions

Calories548 kcal

Ingredients

  • 180 g frozen cooked seafood mix (clams, prawns, squid) defrosted
  • 200 g dried spaghetti or 300g fresh pasta (see recipe in the notes)
  • 15 g parsley chopped, stalks and leaves kept separately
  • 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 8 cherry or baby plum tomatoes quartered
  • 120 ml white wine
  • 30 g butter
  • 1 red chilli finely chopped
  • olive oil
  • 2 slices of crusty bread to serve (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook your pasta following packet instructions. If you're cooking fresh pasta, cook it just before your sauce and seafood are ready (it will only take 2-3 minutes).

  • About 5 minutes before your pasta is ready, heat 3 tablespoon of olive oil and butter in a large non-stick frying pan on low-medium heat. Add garlic, parsley stalks and a pinch of salt and pepper.

  • Add the chilli and tomatoes. Stir constantly for a minute or two just until garlic starts to colour. Then add in the defrosted seafood and pour in the white wine. Increase the heat slightly. Keep stirring for another minute until seafood has warmed through, then take off the heat. Don't worry if it looks like a lot of sauce, your pasta will absorb most of it, if it's cooked al dente.

  • Drain the pasta and add to the seafood pan. Add the parsley leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Toss for another 30 seconds to coat the pasta in the sauce.

  • Serve immediately! This dish is perfect with a slice of crusty bread to mop up the sauce at the bottom of your pasta bowl!

Notes

If you’d like to make your own pasta,here’s our articlewith all the tips on how to make it at home. You can buy squid ink to colour/flavour your pasta online, atSous CheforAmazon. To make ours, we used:

First, add 4 g of squid ink to your eggs or water and beat to combine (don’t worry if it doesn’t blend in well, it will all combine in the kneading process). We use and love Nortindal Ink. It comes in handy 4 g sachets, so they are not messy to use and store! Link to squid ink,here. Then make your pasta as normal (plus account for some extra time to wash your hands…don’t worry it doesn’t stain your skin). Read more on themethod for making your pasta dough here.

Nutrition

Calories:548kcalCarbohydrates:83gProtein:33gFat:3gSaturated Fat:1gCholesterol:228mgSodium:742mgPotassium:596mgFiber:4gSugar:7gVitamin A:1120IUVitamin C:59mgCalcium:199mgIron:5mg

KeywordEasy Seafood Pasta Recipe, Pasta recipes, Pasta with Seafood, Pasta with Seafood and White Wine, Quick Seafood Pasta Recipe, Seafood Linguine, Seafood Linguine Recipe UK, Seafood Linguine with White Wine Sauce, Seafood Pasta, Seafood Pasta Recipe, Seafood Pasta Recipe UK, Seafood Pasta with Prawns, Seafood Pasta with White Wine, Squid Ink Linguine, Squid Ink Pasta, Squid Ink pasta with Seafood, The Best Seafood Pasta Recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us knowhow it was!

Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce (9)

FAQs

Squid Ink Pasta With Seafood and White Wine Sauce? ›

Opt for a lively white wine such as an Italian Verdicchio or a Pinot Gris from Oregon. A light-bodied, acidic red wine such as a young, slightly chilled Chianti will work well with the tomato sauce in this recipe.

What wine do you use for squid ink pasta? ›

Opt for a lively white wine such as an Italian Verdicchio or a Pinot Gris from Oregon. A light-bodied, acidic red wine such as a young, slightly chilled Chianti will work well with the tomato sauce in this recipe.

What does squid ink do to pasta? ›

Squid ink, which is also available from the Cuddlefish (related to the Squid family), is added to the water and dough as pasta is made, creating very black colored pasta. This ink provides a salty and somewhat sweet flavor as an ingredient and coloring to the pasta.

What does squid ink taste good with? ›

Squid ink has a subtle, salty, briny flavor that works well in a variety of dishes like pasta, rice, bread, and even ice cream or cocktails.

Does squid ink pasta taste like seafood? ›

People naturally think it tastes bitter due to its deep-dark appearance. However, the taste of squid ink can be best described as “brine.” It retains a strong salty and earthy-fish flavor staying true to its origin.

Do you use red or white wine for seafood pasta? ›

Seafood Pasta Dishes

To not overpower the freshness and flavor of the seafood, you'd usually pair your dish with a crisp, dry white wine like Pinot Grigio.

What wine is best for seafood pasta sauce? ›

Seafood pastas possess a mild and fresh flavor, and are best paired with a refreshing and slightly bitter wine like Pinot Grigio or Proscecco.

Does squid ink pasta stain teeth? ›

The squid ink, which actually comes from the cuttlefish, a close squid cousin, is the same type used in cooking — to make squid ink pasta, for example — so it is safe for consumption. And it does not stain teeth and comes off easily with brushing, Jokerst said.

Does squid ink pasta taste like regular pasta? ›

What Does Squid Ink Pasta Taste Like? Some say squid ink pasta taste like the sea, a little of the salty sea. Not fishy and not overpowering to any pasta dish.

How long does squid ink pasta last in the fridge? ›

The ink is preserved with sea salt and remains good for up to 4 years in storage unopened. Once opened, keep in the refrigerator and use within 1-2 weeks.

Is too much squid ink bad for you? ›

‌Although squid ink isn't poisonous, it may carry some risks. Eating food made with squid ink can cause an allergic reaction similar to seafood allergy. If you have a shellfish or squid allergy, avoid any foods with squid ink.

Why do chefs use squid ink? ›

Chefs love squid ink because it brings originality to recipes and a discreetly iodized taste. It is perfect for coloring a paella or a risotto. We love it in seafood pasta, but it can also color a vinaigrette or broth.

How do you eat canned squid in ink sauce? ›

Tender squid pieces in a sauce of squid ink, tomato, and spices. Serve atop rice or pasta, or along with crusty bread. "This *may* be the most special of all the Donostia Foods tinned seafood in terms of texture, flavor, and quality; it resembles no other tinned fish on the market that I know of.

Are squids killed for squid ink? ›

Squid ink is harvested from a dead squid. Squids use their ink as a defence mechanism and when released, it is combined with mucus. The squid ink (cephalopod ink) used in cooking is taken from the ink sac directly, after the it has been killed.

Is squid ink good for health? ›

Properties: Squid ink, like other cephalopod (including octopus and cuttlefish) inks, contains an abundance of antioxidants, and is a good source of other healthy compounds.

What country is squid ink pasta from? ›

Squid ink pasta is popular throughout Italy and one of our favourite dishes of this variety involves spaghetti in a squid ink sauce. Known in Italian as Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia, this delicacy is often enjoyed in coastal towns stretching all the way from Sicilia, in the far south, to Veneto in the north east.

Can I use white wine instead of red in pasta sauce? ›

And here's a pro tip – white wine often works just as well as red if you're trying to add a little flavor and depth to tomato sauce. While red wine bumps up the richness for a more robust sauce, white wine contributes a delicate fruity flavor that's unexpected and often delightful.

What does adding white wine to pasta sauce do? ›

Both red and white wine work extremely well for adding flavor to tomato sauce. Red wine gives the sauce added richness and robustness, while white wine imparts a fruity flavor. Incorporate the wine early in the cooking process, just after the vegetables have softened.

What is the best cooking white wine seafood? ›

Best White Wine For Cooking Seafood

Unlike the other dishes we've gone through, seafood dishes generally call for a wine with lower acidity and a higher citrus flavor. This means the best white wines are pinot grigio and muscadet.

What kind of white wine for seafood sauce? ›

Ingredients in white wine sauce for fish

White wine – Any white wine that's not too woody or sweet will work great here. Chardonnay in particular adds really good flavour.

What is the best white wine with Italian seafood? ›

Happily, most Italian white wines are light and citrussy, making them some of the best wines for fish prepared this way. You have lots of options here – Pinot Grigio, Grillo, or even Vermentino – but we think the best wine for light flaky fish is Piemonte's Arneis.

What kind of white wine for cooking seafood pasta? ›

Seafood pasta sauces

Seafood (spaghetti alle vongole, spaghetti with mussels, linguine with crab) need a crisp dry white wine such as Frascati, Verdicchio, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Muscadet or Picpoul de Pinet. A dry rosé is a great choice as well.

Can squid ink pasta cause black stool? ›

As reported in the November-December issue of British Medical Journal USA, there is yet another cause of nonhemorrhagic, black, tarry stools: the ingestion of squid-ink pasta. So, if you have consumed squid-ink pasta or one of the other compounds I mentioned, don't be surprised or worried if your stools are black.

Can kids eat squid ink pasta? ›

Melanin, a building block used to build proteins, and metals such as cadmium, copper, and lead are both present in squid ink in high quantities, making this delicacy a treat best enjoyed by adults and older children on special occasions.

Does squid ink pasta taste bad? ›

Gourmets will say that squid ink tastes and smells with the sea. To be more precise, the flavor of squid ink is close to the flavor of fresh sea fish with some umami hints. To remember umami flavor, think of soy sauce or blue cheese.

Does squid ink pasta use real squid ink? ›

Essentially, yes. Most squid ink that is available to buy is actually cuttlefish ink, so don't be put off if you see the black ink referred to in that way – the two ingredients are interchangeable in recipes.

What is squid ink spaghetti called? ›

Calamarata is a kind of thick ring pasta, often dyed with black squid ink to resemble sliced calamari. It originates from Naples.

Does pasta taste better in Italy? ›

First, Italian pasta usually tastes better because it is made differently. Italian pasta has to adhere to strict standards that have been set by the government. Usually, Italian pasta is made from 100 percent durum wheat, which is usually called semolina flour.

Can you reheat squid ink pasta? ›

♨️Reheating

To reheat on the stovetop, we'd recommend adding a little bit of water, and more olive oil or butter with the pasta to your skillet. Move around constantly to prevent any sticking or burning, and remove from the skillet as soon as the noodles are warmed through, as the calamari will continue to cook.

Can you tell if pasta has gone bad? ›

Signs that pasta has gone bad

One of the most telling signs of expired pasta is that it has become slimy or gooey, which usually occurs right before visible mold begins to grow. You may also notice that it has a dullness or discoloration, such as a grayish or whitish hue.

Can you freeze squid ink pasta? ›

You can also make a big batch and freeze it for later use (we get two whole dinners and two leftover lunches out of one batch of pasta, making it well worth the initial effort).

Is squid ink high in mercury? ›

Calamari is nutritious and low in mercury. Other squid dishes are also safe if cooked, including squid ink.

Is squid ink blood? ›

Squid's ink or cephalopod ink is not an excrement liquid nor is it blood. It is secreted from the ink sac in its body but it is located outside its stomach, through a siphon tube before it is secreted out of its body to scare or distract its opponent.

Is squid ink good for your hair? ›

Bounce, energy and volume will once again return to every single hair follicle, giving your hair a look of health and radiance. Melanin pigments contained in the squid ink aid in the healing and reconstruction of damage due to chemical treatments, such as permanent waves, straightening, coloring and heat styling.

How long does squid ink pasta last? ›

Once opened, store the jar in the fridge, and use a little of the cuttlefish ink at a time to colour fresh pasta, risottos and paellas. Use sparingly - a little goes a long way. Use approximately 1g of squid ink with 100g of other ingredients. Once opened, keep refrigerated, and use within 20 days.

What is the difference between squid ink and octopus ink? ›

Both octopuses and squids have ink sacs that they use to release ink as a defense mechanism, and they contain melanin. However, octopus ink is usually thicker and more toxic. What this all means is that octopuses likely have a greater ability to evade or confuse potential predators in their environment.

What does canned squid in ink taste like? ›

Squid ink adds a rich and briny flavor to your pasta without being overpowering. It also gives the pasta a dark, inky color.

What is squid ink sauce made of? ›

Sauce For Squid Ink Pasta

A robust pasta sauce loaded with fresh lemon juice, garlic, butter, parmesan cheese, and white wine (or chicken broth) is the perfect pairing for squid pasta. Squid ink pasta sauce needs to compliment the flavor of the noodles, not overpower it or mask it.

Is canned squid ready to eat? ›

Squids (Calamares)

Canned squid constitutes a ready-made meal if you warm them up alongside a starch.

What kind of wine do you cook pasta with? ›

To infuse your pasta sauce with more complex flavors, use an aromatic white such as a Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Muscat. For pesto dishes, dry whites such as a Gavi or Soave are delightful choices, and a light Chardonnay could work as well.

What wine is best for making pasta? ›

Best Wines With Pasta
  • Pinot Noir. Pinot noir is known for its rich, earthy undertones. ...
  • Riesling. A lighter red wine, Reisling may not seem to be able to stand up to a rich dish, but it does pair well with the main meal. ...
  • Merlot. ...
  • Cabernet Sauvignon. ...
  • Zinfandel.
Mar 24, 2021

What kind of wine do you use for pasta? ›

If you're looking for the best wine with spaghetti, look for something with a good amount of acidity to balance out the acidic tomato sauce. My go-to reds are Merlot, Zinfandel, and Nebbiolo. If you're craving something white, you could also consider Pinot Grigio, a dry Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc.

Do Italians cook pasta with wine? ›

In several regions, Italians add a splash of wine, instead of sauce, to cooked pasta. In Piedmont and Emilia Romagna, it's common, especially for the older generations, to top anolini or small ravioli with red wine.

Why do you put white wine in pasta? ›

White wine pasta sauce is a simple yet delicious dish that's perfect on its own or as a base for seafood or chicken. The dry white wine gives it a subtle flavour that's then enhanced by a splash of lemon and loads of freshly grated Parmesan.

How long to cook off wine in pasta? ›

The longer you cook, the more alcohol cooks out, but you have to cook food for about 3 hours to fully erase all traces of alcohol. A study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Data lab confirmed this and added that food baked or simmered in alcohol for 15 minutes still retains 40 percent of the alcohol.

When should you add wine to pasta? ›

Incorporate the wine early in the cooking process, just after the vegetables have softened. Then, let the wine cook down and reduce almost all the way. The alcohol will cook off, while its wonderful flavors are left behind.

What white wine is good for creamy pasta sauce? ›

Creamy pasta sauces

To offset creamy sauces (eg carbonara or fettucine alfredo) think Soave, Bianco di Custoza, Pinot Bianco, Sicilian whites and lighter Chardonnay or Chardonnay blends. With baby vegetables (primavera) or herbs (verdura): try a crisper Italian whites such as Falanghina, Vermentino or Arneis.

What is the best white wine for cooking Italian food? ›

As far as white wine for cooking goes, you can't go wrong with Sauvignon Blanc. Arguably the most versatile vino for marinades, seafood dishes, and veggies, this white's pronounced acidity and herbal notes are sure to add depth and zest to everything from delicious Italian risotto to steamed mussels with garlic toasts.

What wine goes with seafood marinara? ›

Best wine to drink with Seafood Marinara

Almost anything goes with this beloved pasta dish, though it's best to avoid sweeter white wines or the biggest of reds. For best results, we love a bright and complex red wine – think Chianti or GSM – or something with a hint of pepperiness, like a Syrah or Malbec.

What wine do Italians drink with pasta? ›

Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich red wine, which helps it pair greatly with most tomato based red sauces in pizza and pasta. The wine is also famous for matching fatty red meats, such as rump, ribeye and sirloin steaks.

Why do Italians drink wine with pasta? ›

Drinks are paired with food.

You won't usually find Italians pre-drinking their wine before a pasta dish is brought to the table as the wine is meant to complement the dish. In more romantic Italian terms, you could say they were meant for each other.

What is the most famous wine in Italy? ›

Sangiovese is by far the most popular and widespread red wine varietal in Italy - Chianti, Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino are all made from this grape, and it is frequently used in blends. Primitivo is a close second, largely grown in Southern Italy.

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