Pasta with Cuttlefish

Name: Pasta with Cuttlefish
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Paccheri pasta 11.3 oz; Octopi (cleaned) 1.1 lbs; Cherry tomatoes 2 cups; Garlic 1 clove; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; White wine 3.5 oz; Parsley to taste; Fresh chili pepper 2; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

it de fr es br

Lactose Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Average

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Sebastian Fitarau

Pasta with cuttlefish is like a quick trip to the Italian coast. The magic, I gotta say, lies in the freshness of the tender cuttlefish. It really soaks up all the goodness from sweet cherry tomatoes, a hint of chili, and plenty of fragrant parsley. Seriously, good stuff. In places like Sicily and the Amalfi Coast, locals have been enjoying this cuttlefish pasta recipe for generations. And look, especially when tomatoes are at their peak and seafood is plentiful, it's just perfect. The sauce is light and tangy from the tomatoes, with a moist richness from the cuttlefish. It’s a dish where simplicity shines—like a day at the beach. Nothing fancy, just honest, balanced food that feels like a seaside vacation on your plate. Pretty much. This is one of those traditional Italian pasta dishes that really really shows off fresh ingredients.

In Central and Southern Italy, you’ll find various twists—maybe a splash of white wine, or a bit of pasta al nero di seppia if cuttlefish ink is around. The ink turns the noodles a dramatic black, adding a deep, briny flavor. But, even without the ink, this seafood pasta recipe is all about using what’s fresh and local. And you know what, garlic and chili give it warmth, while tomatoes provide just enough sweet and juicy pop. It’s perfect for a laid-back outdoor gathering, with everyone sharing bowls of steaming pasta. The crispy edges of the cuttlefish mix with the smooth noodles—really interesting texture. Compared to something heavier, like a creamy sauce, this dish feels fresh and clean, yet still satisfying. For sure. Whether you call it pasta with cuttlefish or use a regional name, it’s the ultimate way to savor the flavors of the Italian seaside—simple, aromatic, and really really satisfying. Enjoy it as part of a casual meal, and let the taste transport you to the beautiful shores of Italy.

How to prepare Pasta with Cuttlefish

To prepare pasta with cuttlefish, start by washing and halving the cherry tomatoes 1. Then chop the parsley after washing and drying it 2. Next, handle the cuttlefish: we used pre-cleaned cuttlefish, if you have whole cuttlefish to clean, you can follow the instructions on our guide: How to clean cuttlefish. Once cleaned, slice the cuttlefish into rings 3.

In a large pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, add the crushed garlic and two chili peppers 4. Sauté until the garlic is golden, then add the cuttlefish 5 and cook them for 3-4 minutes. Deglaze with the white wine 6 and let it evaporate. Meanwhile, bring a pot full of water to a boil, which will be used for cooking the pasta.

Add the halved cherry tomatoes 7, adjust with salt 8 and pepper 9.

Pour a ladle of water 10, cover with a lid 11, and continue cooking for about 15 minutes, until the cherry tomatoes have released part of their juice. In the meantime, cook the paccheri al dente in abundant salted water 12.

After this time, the sauce will be ready 13, remove the garlic clove and the chili peppers 14, then drain the paccheri directly into the pan 15.

Mix well to combine the flavors, adding a little cooking water if necessary for more creaminess. Complete with fresh chopped parsley 16, mix again, and serve the pasta with cuttlefish hot 18.

Storage

It is recommended to consume the pasta with cuttlefish immediately.

Advice

To make your pasta with cuttlefish even more fragrant, you can add a grated zest of organic lemon at the end of cooking: it will give the dish a fresh, citrus note that perfectly complements the sea flavor. If you prefer a more intense touch, you can replace the parsley with a mix of fresh herbs like basil and mint.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Pasta with Cuttlefish

PRESENTATION

How to prepare Pasta with Cuttlefish

Storage

Advice

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