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Calamari with Tomato Sauce

Calamari with Tomato Sauce: A Cozy Italian Feast at Home

Enjoy this comforting Calamari with Tomato Sauce recipe, perfect for a delightful family dinner or impressing guests.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil Adds richness and depth to the sauce; a great substitute is vegetable oil if needed.
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced Provides aromatic flavor; using minced garlic will give stronger notes.
  • 1 can (28-ounce) tomato puree Forms the base of the sauce; fresh tomatoes can work, just cook down to a sauce consistency.
  • 28 fluid ounces water Adjust this to achieve your desired sauce thickness.
  • ½ cup red wine Enhances flavor complexity; white wine or vegetable broth are good alternatives.
  • 1 teaspoon salt Balances the flavors; feel free to adjust according to your taste.
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar Counteracts acidity in tomatoes; you can omit this when using fresh tomatoes.
  • to taste crushed red pepper Adds heat; tailor this to your preferred spice level.
For the Pasta
  • 1 package (16-ounce) uncooked linguine pasta Serves as the perfect base; switch it up with another pasta shape if you wish.
For the Calamari
  • 3 pounds squid, cleaned and sliced into rings The star of the dish; ensuring it’s fresh is key to achieving a delightful texture.

Equipment

  • large saucepan
  • pot for boiling pasta

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Drizzle olive oil into a large saucepan and warm over medium heat for about 2 minutes until shimmers.
  2. Add sliced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until golden brown, stirring frequently.
  3. Stir in tomato puree, water, red wine, salt, white sugar, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a rapid boil for 5-7 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Boil a large pot of salted water, add linguine and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and keep warm.
  6. Gently add cleaned squid to the saucepan, stir to coat in sauce, and cook for about 15 minutes until opaque.
  7. Spoon the sauce over warm linguine and serve with optional garnish of grated Parmesan cheese and lemon.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 25gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Use the freshest squid possible for better texture. Be cautious not to overcook the squid to avoid rubbery calamari.

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