Italian Calamari Sauce

Thursday, November 17, 2022
This Italian Calamari Sauce is one of the best vintage recipes we usually make around the Christmas Holiday season.

Today we made it with the addition of calamari rings with tender tentacles cooked in a rich wine tomato sauce, very easy to prepare and full of Italian garlicky flavors.

Served over your favorite cooked pasta, or rice or just served with Italian bread, this is a quick sauce that is adored by any seafood lover.

My late grandmother's recipe for this calamari sauce is most asked for on Christmas Eve as part of the 7 Fishes in our family, however, is typically served in warmer weather seasons since it's a perfect light meal.

The ingredients are bursting with fresh herbs and garlic of course, and a good-tasting drinking red wine added with chunky tomatoes.

For a little heat added to your sauce, just add some crushed red pepper flakes to spice it up.

If you're a big fan of calamari in red sauce, this is a great recipe for you to add to your collection.

Scroll down to get this easily printable recipe with step-by-step instructions.



this is a pot of calamari sauce for pasta





Easy Step-by-Step for Calamari Sauce

  1. saute the vegetables
  2. stir in the tomatoes and wine with seasoning and herbs
  3. simmer 25 minutes
  4. add calamari last for 3 to 5 minutes
  5. do not overcook


This sauce is perfect for delicious homemade bread you like to sop up that fabulous sauce with crusty bread.

Below you will find even more substitutions to change out the seafood for, however, remember your cooking times will vary, always make sure the meat you choose is cooked thoroughly.

Add more or less spice for heat to your own taste and adapt the recipe to your own style.


homemade calamari sauce


Other Substitutions 

  • chunks of white fish like sea bass
  •  chunks of Mahi-mahi
  • chunks of haddock
  • crab meat or lobster
  • extra large cleaned and deveined shrimp
  • mussels or clams still in the shells
  • large scallops


calamari sauce collage of ingredients


Tips

  • use any kind of red wine or chicken broth for non-alcohol
  • calamari is cooked quickly do not overcook check at 4 minutes for tenderness
  • don't brown garlic, it should be light in color
  • cook any kind of pasta you like or rice for a side dish
  • use only good-grade tomatoes like  San Marzano or for best results use fresh plum tomatoes
  • taste the sauce to ensure enough salt and pepper to taste are to your liking
  • oven method: oil spray a cast-iron saucepan add the olive oil and saute the vegetables. Add everything else except the calamari add 5 minutes before the sauce is done.


calamari sauce ingredients


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Calamari Italian Style Sauce



This Italian calamari sauce can be served over rice, pasta, or just with a big piece of hard-crusted bread to dip into this delectable sauce.


It's super easy and takes less than 30 minutes for the whole meal!


Let us know how you like our version of this recipe I have been making for over 35 years and my grandmother's recipe from the 1950s!


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fish recipes, seafood recipes, calamari recipes
Italian
Yield: 10
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Italian Calamari Sauce

Italian Calamari Sauce

This sauce is with calamari in a tomato chunky sauce with added sauteed vegetables minced. A flavored sauce that perfect over pasta or served as a soup-style stew.
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

  • 2-pound calamari with tentacles
  • 4 cloves of minced garlic
  • 1 stalk celery finely minced
  • 1 carrot grated
  • 1/2 cup Italian parsley chopped
  • 1 small minced onion
  • 1 - 28-ounce can of the whole tomato chopped in juice or 2 pounds of plum skinned and chopped
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (we use cabernet)
  • 1/4 cup clam juice
  • 1 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 4 large fresh basil leaves torn
  • 1 piece of lemon zest around 2 inches long
  • pinch of sugar
  • 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: for a thick sauce add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste in the saute step.
  • Garnish: Grated Pecorino Romano cheese and red pepper flakes
  • Serve over your favorite pasta or with hard-crusted Italian bread.

Instructions

  1. In a large heavy saucepan, add the olive oil to a heated pan.
  2. Saute the onion, celery, and garlic on low heat just till fragrant around 2 minutes.
  3. If using tomato paste add this here and saute 1 minute longer.
  4. Add the carrots, sugar, lemon peel, tomatoes, wine, clam juice, basil, oregano, and parsley.
  5. Bring to a slow simmer then add any remaining ingredients, spices, salt, and pepper to your taste.
  6. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  7. Note: for a thicker sauce simmer longer and how you prefer it only add the calamari at the end 
  8. Add the calamari for 5 to 6 minutes (this cooks quickly).
  9. Garnish with cheese and red pepper flakes if desired.
  10. This can be served over your favorite pasta or added to a bowl with a piece of hard-crusted Italian bread like you would a stew.

Notes

Other Substitutions 

  • chunks of white fish like sea bass
  •  chunks of Mahi-mahi
  • chunks of haddock
  • crab meat or lobster
  • extra large cleaned and deveined shrimp
  • mussels or clams still in the shells
  • large scallops


Tips

  • use any kind of red wine or chicken broth for non-alcohol
  • calamari is cooked quickly do not overcook check at 4 minutes for tenderness
  • don't brown garlic, it should be light in color
  • cook any kind of pasta you like or rice for a side dish
  • use only good-grade tomatoes like San Marzano or for best results use fresh plum tomatoes
  • taste the sauce to ensure enough salt and pepper to taste are to your liking
  • oven method: oil spray a cast-iron saucepan add the olive oil and saute the vegetables. Add everything else except the calamari add 5 minutes before the sauce is done.


Nutrition Facts

Calories

195.19

Fat (grams)

7.84

Sat. Fat (grams)

1.63

Carbs (grams)

12.08

Fiber (grams)

0.98

Net carbs

11.07

Sugar (grams)

2.66

Protein (grams)

16.57

Sodium (milligrams)

131.73

Cholesterol (grams)

214.49


Pin for later





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9 comments

  1. I am going to enjoy the calamari sauce as it is...so good!

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  2. Looks very good, as usual, Claudia and I wish I were a fan of calamari but I'm not so I'll try the delicious sounding sauce with another seafood.

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  3. Che buona che sarà, la proverò!

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  4. Oh yum! This sounds fantastic paired with pasta. Definitely perfect for the holiday season.

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  5. This is so perfect for the holidays!! So comforting and really delish!

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  6. This is so perfect for the holidays!! So comforting and really delish!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This was wonderful! I will definitely make it again!

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  8. What amazing flavors in this Italian Calamari sauce. It looks marvelous.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow..this looks winter warningly delicious. Love it.

    ReplyDelete

Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia