Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Cherry Tomato Sauce

By Elena

5 from 2 reviews

Feb 01, 2023, Updated Sep 03, 2024

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Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Seafood and Cherry Tomato Sauce– is an elegant and rustic Italian pasta dish that combines squid ink pasta with the subtle briny flavors of shrimp, garlic, white wine, parsley, and cherry tomatoes—a special delicacy for a date night meal at home or dinner party.

Also, try- Seafood Pasta with Red Sauce (Linguini Frutti di Mare), Crispy Calamari Recipe, Octopus Salad, Spaghetti alle Vongole, and Trottole Pasta Recipe with Tomato Sauce and Shrimp.

close up of squid ink pasta with shrimp on a plate ready to eat.
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Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Cherry Tomato Sauce

This alluring Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Cherry Tomatoes (spaghetti al nero di seppia) is simple and irresistible.

In Sardegna, we often eat black squid ink pasta since the island is famous for squid and other fresh seafood. You will love this fresh squid ink pasta recipe in white wine sauce.

Sauteed shrimp protein and texture and the red sauce created by the cherry tomatoes add a pop of color to this beautiful dish inspired by summertime in my hometown of Cagliari, Sardegna. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

Table of Contents

Simple Ingredients

This beautiful dish only takes a few fresh ingredients and pantry staples to come together.

ingredient shot for recipe
  • Squid ink pasta dried or fresh
  • Shrimp, deveined, cleaned, and dried with paper towels. 
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Garlic minced
  • Red pepper flakes (red chile flakes)
  • Salt plus more for the pasta water
  • Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • White wine, such as preferably Pinot Grigio
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

See the recipe card for quantities.

What is Squid Ink Pasta?

Squid ink, also available from Cuddlefish ink (related to the Squid family), is added to the water and pasta dough when the squid pasta is made. This creates black pasta. Aromatic squid ink is also used to color fresh egg pasta giving it a deep black hue.

Squid ink gives this pasta its unique and defining black coloring. This type of pasta is popular in the Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine.

squid ink pasta with shrimp on a plate ready to eat with homemade bread.

Where to Buy Squid Ink Pasta

You can buy black squid ink pasta at Trader Joe’s, World Market, Caputo’s Market, or local Italian specialty stores. Order it on Amazon-here. You can use squid ink spaghetti or squid ink linguini.

If you can’t find it where you are, you can always substitute plain pasta or make homemade pasta dough and serve it with this delicious seafood pasta sauce.

How to Make Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Cherry Tomato Sauce

The process for making this squid ink pasta recipe is simple and takes little effort and time.

While the pasta cooks, make the sauce…

process of makingSquid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Tomato Sauce- sautéing garlic in olive oil.

While the pasta cooks, make the sauce. In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high heat until hot. Add the garlic. Cook, occasionally stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant.

process of makingSquid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Tomato Sauce- sautéing garlic in olive oil adding cherry tomatoes to pan.

Add the cherry tomatoes, white wine, salt, and red pepper flakes.

process of makingSquid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Tomato Sauce- sautéing garlic in olive oil adding cherry tomatoes to pan cherry tomatoes cooked in pan.

Cover with lid. Cook, occasionally stirring, for about 10 minutes or until tomatoes are softened and blistered.

process of makingSquid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Tomato Sauce- adding shrimp to the pan with cooked tomatoes.

Add the shrimp to the pan and cook at high heat for 5 minutes until tender and cooked. Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. 

Transfer the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce, add the reserved pasta water, and toss to combine in the pan for about 1-2 minutes until the pasta is coated with the sauce and seafood. Transfer to a serving platter/ Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with ciabatta bread. 

squid ink pasta on a serving platter.

Substitute for Shrimp in Squid Ink Pasta Sauce

If you want to change the seafood in this squid-ink pasta dish, you can use squid or calamari, scallops, or mussels. You can even try a combination of these, as they are the perfect match for the black squid ink pasta.

Squid Ink Pasta Sauce Variations

This squid ink pasta sauce is fresh and light and complements the rich flavors of the seafood and the black ink pasta.

  • Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and a fresh zing to this seafood pasta dish.
  • Instead of using cherry tomatoes, or in addition, add tomato sauce or chopped tomatoes.
squid ink pasta with shrimp on a plate ready to eat.

Storage and Reheating

Store: Keep leftover squid ink pasta recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last 3-4 days. Since the squid ink pasta is a little thicker, it doesn’t get as soggy sitting in the sauce as other pasta varieties.

Reheat: Warm pasta in a large skillet on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water as needed to thin the sauce. Toss the pasta often and brighten it with a few extra cherry tomatoes as garnish.

squid ink pasta with shrimp on a plate ready to eat. Fork and knife on plate.

What to Serve With Squid Ink Pasta Recipe

In Italy, we typically don’t serve seafood pasta dishes with Parmigiano cheese (parmesan cheese). You can certainly add some if that is your preference.

Serve with a simple salad and ciabatta bread. Don’t forget dessert. Finish with a Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe (Authentic).

Top Tips

  • Cook Pasta Perfectly. Make sure to salt the water to flavor the pasta from the inside out. Only cook until al dente. Read:  How Long to Boil Spaghetti Pasta Perfectly Every Time. 
  • It is good to remember that the pasta and shrimp will cook more once incorporated with the hot sauce. Do not overcook pasta or shrimp!

FAQs

What does squid ink pasta taste like?

Squid Ink tastes and smells like the sea. The flavor of squid ink is close to the flavor of fresh sea fish with umami nuances with a subtle briny flavor. Squid ink pasta is mild in flavor and pairs well with white wine sauce and seafood such as shrimp, scallops, and squid.

Can you cook frozen shrimp without thawing?

Can you cook frozen shrimp without thawing it? You can, but it is not recommended. The shrimp will turn out hard and overcooked. Thaw the shrimp for 15 minutes in a bowl of cold water before cooking.

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Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Seafood and Cherry Tomato Sauce

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Elena
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
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Description

Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Seafood and Cherry Tomato Sauce– is an elegant and rustic Italian pasta dish that combines squid ink pasta with the subtle briny flavors of fresh squid, garlic, white wine, parsley, and cherry tomatoes—a special delicacy for a date night meal at home or dinner party.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound squid ink linguine pasta dried or fresh
  • 1 pound shrimp, deveined, cleaned, and dried with paper towels.
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (red chile flakes)
  • 3 teaspoons salt plus more for the pasta water
  • 10 oz cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1/4 cup white wine such as preferably Pinot Grigio
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Clean shrimp and pat dry them with paper towels—season with salt on both sides. Set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous salt (it should taste like the sea!). Cook the squid ink pasta for 3 to 4 minutes if fresh or dried until al dente, 8 to 9 minutes, or according to package directions. 
  3. While the pasta cooks, make the sauce. In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high heat until hot. Add the garlic. Cook, occasionally stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant.
  4. Add the cherry tomatoes, white wine, salt, and red pepper flakes. Cover with lid. Cook, occasionally stirring, for about 10 minutes or until tomatoes are softened and blistered.
  5. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook at high heat for 5 minutes until tender and cooked. Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. 
  6. Transfer the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce, add the reserved pasta water, and toss to combine in the pan for about 1-2 minutes until the pasta is coated with the sauce and seafood. Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread. 
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Savory
  • Method: Italian
  • Cuisine: Italian

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About Elena

My dream is to share delicious wholesome recipes that you will share around the table with all your loved ones. The memories surrounded by food are the heart and soul of CucinaByElena.

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3 Comments

  1. Made this for my wife. Absolutely wonderful. I would definitely recommend simmer the pinot grigio in the shrimp peels and tails to extract additional flavor.



    Reply