Spicy Braised Calamari Recipe

Name: Spicy Braised Calamari
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds squid, tubes cut into 1/4-inch slices and tentacles; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 cup julienne cut sweet onion; 3 garlic cloves, sliced; 2 Fresno chiles or other mild red chiles, thinly sliced; 1 cup red wine; 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 3/8 teaspoon kosher salt; 8 ounces thin spaghetti; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped Italian parsley; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Servings: persons

2 pounds squid, tubes cut into 1/4-inch slices and tentacles
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 cup julienne cut sweet onion
3 garlic cloves, sliced
2 Fresno chiles or other mild red chiles, thinly sliced
1 cup red wine
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3/8 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces thin spaghetti
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped Italian parsley
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1
SAUTE THE SQUID
2
Dry the squid well on paper towels.
3
Heat a Dutch oven to medium-high for about 3 minutes. A constant, well distributed medium-high is always better and more controllable than screaming high heat.
4
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and immediately add half of the squid.
5
Saute for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, almost as if to stir-fry. Get some color on them.
6
Place cooked squid in a large Dutch oven.
7
Cook the rest of the squid: add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet, and saute 2 to 3 minutes.
8
Move the second batch of cooked squid to the Dutch oven.
9
USE VEGETABLES TO CREATE A SAUCE
10
Return the pan to the heat and reduce the temperature to medium. Add the onion, the garlic, and the chiles. Stir and cook for 2 minutes or until slightly soft.
11
Add the wine to the pan. Cook 3 minutes or until reduced by half.
12
Add the reduced wine to the squid, along with the tomatoes, the lemon zest, the red pepper, and the salt. Stir to incorporate.
13
BRAISE
14
Bring the squid mixture to a boil. Only for a moment.
15
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer, but don't boil, for an hour and 15 minutes.
16
COOK THE PASTA
17
While the squid is simmering, cook the spaghetti for 6 minutes. Drain it well. There's plenty of sauce, and you don't want to dilute it.
18
Add the pasta to the squid for the last 5 minutes of its cooking time.
19
The squid should be tender at this moment. Turn off the heat.
20
Stir in the lemon juice, half of the parsley, and the black pepper. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with the remaining half of the parsley, and serve while still piping hot.

213

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 pounds squid, tubes cut into 1/4-inch slices and tentacles, 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, 1 cup julienne cut sweet onion, 3 garlic cloves, sliced, and more.

Yes, Spicy Braised Calamari falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Spicy Braised Calamari

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions