Squid Ink Pasta

Published May 22, 2025

Squid Ink Pasta
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
45 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
5(11)
Comments
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Stained a striking black hue from a dose of squid ink, squid ink pasta has a subtle briny flavor that pairs extremely well with seafood. This recipe coats the noodles in a garlicky, fresh tomato sauce infused with canned clam juice, which reinforces the flavors of the shrimp and calamari. Although shrimp does look nice whole, here it’s coarsely chopped to help it fold into the pasta for bites that include pasta, shrimp and calamari all at once. A good spritz of lemon juice brightens the briny dish.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • Salt and pepper
  • 7tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1pound peeled, deveined large shrimp
  • 1large shallot, finely chopped (½ cup)
  • 3garlic cloves, minced
  • 2tablespoons tomato paste
  • 8ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1(8-ounce) bottle clam juice
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus more for garnish
  • 1pound dry squid ink spaghetti (or other long pasta)
  • ½pound fresh or frozen and thawed calamari, cleaned and sliced into ¼-inch-thick rings
  • 3tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¼cup chopped parsley
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

838 calories; 27 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 18 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 97 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 52 grams protein; 1099 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, in a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, then flip and cook 1 minute longer, just until pink and lightly golden. (The shrimp will finish cooking in the pasta.) Transfer to a plate. When cool enough to handle, coarsely chop.

  3. Step 3

    Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of the oil and the shallot to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, 2 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly caramelized, 2 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Add tomatoes and 1 tablespoon of the oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to soften, 3 minutes. Add clam juice and crushed red pepper, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring to lift up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan, just until flavors meld, 2 minutes. Turn off heat.

  5. Step 5

    Meanwhile, cook pasta in the boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking pasta water, then drain.

  6. Step 6

    Scrape the tomato mixture into the large pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add calamari and cook, stirring occasionally, until just opaque, 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp, pasta, lemon juice, 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and the remaining 3 tablespoons oil and cook, stirring vigorously, until sauce is slightly thickened and nicely coats the pasta, about 2 minutes. Stir in half of the parsley.

  7. Step 7

    Divide pasta among bowls and garnish with the remaining parsley and more crushed red pepper. Serve warm.

Ratings

5 out of 5
11 user ratings
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Comments

Why bother using bottle clam juice when you just use fresh clams. No fresh clam? How about shrimp, scallops or mussels?

Yes, just toss in debearded and scrubbed mussels in lieu of the bottled clam juice, cover and steam just until open and they'll release their juice. Fish them out so they don't overcook and reserve to add when you combine the pasta at the end.

You don't need the reserved cup of pasta water. The clam juice and tomato mixture was enough. I also doubled the lemon for some extra zing. Delicious dinner!

Made this as written and it was lovely! Did it once with the squid ink pasta and once with regular pasta and both were delicious. The second time around we used scallops instead of calamari but we treated the scallops like the shrimp (seared at the start) - they were perfect. Highly recommend.

Yes, just toss in debearded and scrubbed mussels in lieu of the bottled clam juice, cover and steam just until open and they'll release their juice. Fish them out so they don't overcook and reserve to add when you combine the pasta at the end.

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