Squid ink spaghetti elevates a classic pasta dish by incorporating a subtle briny flavor from the unique black pasta. My highly rated version highlights the umami flavor of the pasta with bright flavors, such as lemon, garlic, butter and parmesan.
Many recipes for squid ink pasta dishes I’ve had at seafood restaurants and seen online call for tomatoes and shrimp, but I wanted to provide an alternative that focuses on the pasta.
More popular pasta recipes: Penne Pomodoro, Pastalaya and Stuffed Ziti Fritta.
What Is Squid Ink
Squid ink is what gives this pasta its unique and defining black coloring. Popular in Mediterranean and Japan cuisine, it’s added to the dough of the pasta before cutting and drying.
Squid ink is a black liquid pigment produced by squid, cuttlefish, and octopus, to protect themselves from predators. Squid, cuttlefish ink and octopus ink can all be classified as “squid ink”, legally speaking, as they’re all close relatives.
What Does Squid Ink Pasta Taste Like
Squid ink noodles have the texture and flavor of standard pasta, made with flour and water, with a delicious salty and briny flavor from the black squid ink. Black Squid ink pasta does not have a “fishy” flavor or scent in any way.
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.
How To Make
This squid pasta recipe is surprisingly easy to make, considering how luxurious it looks and tastes.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Boil the Noodles – Boil the noodles in salted water to al dente.
Make The Sauce – Combine the lemon garlic sauce ingredients and cook until reduced by half. Then add the lemon and lemon zest.
Finishing Touches – Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Shave fresh parmesan cheese over the warm noodles and serve immediately for best texture.
Add In Ideas
Bulk up pasta dinner recipes with any of the below seafood or vegetables:
- Easy Lemon Garlic Shrimp
- Lobster Meat – Baked Lobster Tails or Sous Vide Lobster Tail
- Crab Meat – Baked Crab Legs
- Fresh Squid
- Kani
- Scallops
- Cherry Tomatoes
Where To Buy Squid Ink
Finding squid pasta is easier these days due to the rise in popularity. Whole foods and other specialty stores stock it, as does World Market and Trader Joe’s from time to time. If you’re having trouble finding it, you can always grab the same brand we use from Amazon.
Expert Tips
- Make sure to only cook the pasta to al dente. You won’t want mushy pasta shells.
- You must use fresh lemon juice. Bottle juice just doesn’t have the fresh and bright flavor required.
- Swap out the white wine with chicken or vegetable broth (or Instant Pot Bone Broth) if you don’t have any on hand or don’t utilize wine to cook.
- Omit the red pepper flakes if heat isn’t your thing.
- Keep some reserved pasta water handy to thin, if needed.
- Due to the black coloring, this would make a great Halloween dinner option!
Drink Pairings
Fruity Chardonnay, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Champagne
Squid Ink Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz Squid Ink Pasta
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- ½ Tbsp Garlic Cloves, Minced
- ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes (*Note 1)
- ¾ cup Dry White Wine or Chicken Broth
- ¼ tsp Sea Salt + More To Taste
- 1 Lemon, Juiced and Zested (*Note 2)
- 2 oz Parmesan Cheese, Freshly Grated
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- Chopped Fresh Parsley
- Black Pepper, To Taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water and 1 tbsp of kosher salt to a boil. Cook the noodles according to the "al dente" directions on the back of the box. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and butter and let melt. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the wine (or broth) and salt and cook until the broth is reduced by half.
- Add the cooked pasta, lemon juice, lemon zest and toss to evenly coat. Add the reserved pasta sauce, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed.
- Taste and add extra salt, to taste. Top with black pepper, grated parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.