Black Squid Ink Spaghetti with Shrimp and Mussels Recipe

Introduction

Black Squid Ink Spaghetti is a striking and flavorful seafood dish that brings a touch of the ocean to your plate. With its rich, briny taste and dramatic black color, it’s sure to impress both in taste and presentation. This recipe combines tender shrimp, mussels, and the unique depth of squid ink for a memorable meal.

Ingredients

• 400g spaghetti
• 100g squid ink
• 300g fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 200g mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water.
2. Step 2: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the shrimp and mussels to the pan. Pour in the white wine and cover, cooking until the mussels open and shrimp turn pink, about 5 minutes. Discard any mussels that do not open.
4. Step 4: Stir in the squid ink and season with salt and pepper. Simmer gently for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
5. Step 5: Add the drained spaghetti to the pan, tossing gently to coat the pasta with the squid ink sauce. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.

Tips & Variations

• For deeper flavor, use homemade seafood stock in place of some pasta water when loosening the sauce.
• If fresh squid ink is unavailable, you can find packaged or bottled squid ink in specialty stores or online.
• Add a pinch of chili flakes when sautéing garlic for a subtle spicy kick.
• Swap mussels with clams or add calamari rings for more variety in seafood.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. This dish is best enjoyed fresh due to the delicate seafood flavors.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

What does squid ink taste like?

Squid ink has a rich, briny flavor with a slightly salty and oceanic taste, adding depth and umami to dishes without being fishy.

Can I use dried pasta for this recipe?

Yes, dried spaghetti works perfectly. Just be sure to cook it al dente to maintain the best texture when mixed with the sauce.

Black Squid Ink Spaghetti with Shrimp and Mussels Recipe

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4.5 from 70 reviews

A flavorful and elegant Black Squid Ink Spaghetti featuring tender shrimp and mussels simmered in a rich garlic and white wine sauce infused with squid ink, garnished with fresh parsley and served with lemon wedges for a zesty finish.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Sauce

• 400g spaghetti
• 100g squid ink
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Salt and pepper to taste

Seafood

• 300g fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 200g mussels, cleaned and debearded

Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
2. Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Cook the seafood: Add the shrimp and mussels to the skillet, stirring to combine. Pour in the dry white wine, cover the skillet, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the mussels open and the shrimp are opaque. Discard any unopened mussels.
4. Add squid ink: Stir in the squid ink to the seafood mixture, mixing well to evenly coat the seafood and create a rich black sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the seafood and squid ink sauce. Toss everything together to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and ensure even coating.
6. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for added brightness.

Notes

• Ensure mussels are cleaned properly to remove grit and beards before cooking.
• Discard any mussels that do not open during cooking to avoid food safety risks.
• Use dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, for the best flavor.
• Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh seafood at its best.

Keywords: Black squid ink spaghetti, seafood pasta, shrimp and mussels pasta, Italian seafood recipe, squid ink pasta