Stuffed Calamari (Calamari Ripieni) Recipe Guide

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Calamari Ripieni

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Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Equipment

• Equipment Needed
• Mixing bowls
• Large skillet with lid
• Small saucepan
• Wooden skewers or toothpicks
• Sharp knife
• Chopping board
• Spoon

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• For the Stuffing:
• 8 medium-sized squid cleaned, tentacles reserved
• 1 cup breadcrumbs gluten-free, if needed
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• 1 egg or flax egg for vegan substitution
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• For the Sauce:
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp chili flakes optional
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Method
• Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Squid
• Rinse the squid tubes under cold water, removing any residue.
• Chop the tentacles into small pieces and set aside for the stuffing.
• Step 2: Prepare the Stuffing
• In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, chopped tentacles, salt, and pepper.
• Beat the egg and add it to the mixture, along with olive oil. Mix well until the stuffing holds together when pressed.
• Step 3: Stuff the Squid
• Using a small spoon, carefully stuff the mixture into the squid tubes, leaving about ½ inch at the top to allow for expansion during cooking.
• Secure the open end with a toothpick or skewer.
• Step 4: Make the Tomato Sauce
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Step 5: Cook the Stuffed Squid
• Place the stuffed squid into the skillet with the tomato sauce.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 25–30 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
• Remove from heat and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
• Variations and Tips
• For a Low-Carb Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or ground nuts.
• For a Vegan Version: Replace the squid with large portobello mushrooms or zucchini boats, and use flax eggs and nutritional yeast in the stuffing.
• Spicy Twist: Add chopped chili peppers to the stuffing for an extra kick.
• Pro Tip: Don’t overstuff the squid, as the filling will expand during cooking.

Keyword Calamari, Calamari Ripieni

Calamari Ripieni, or stuffed calamari, is a delightful Italian dish that combines tender squid with a flavorful filling, cooked to perfection in a rich tomato sauce. From my own personal experience, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser and a great way to showcase Italian flavors. Let me show you how I make this delicious dish that is both impressive and approachable for beginners.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Time to Stand: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Ease of Cooking: Moderate
• Servings: 4
• Calories per Serving: ~320 kcal
• Cost of Ingredients: Moderate

Cuisine: Italian

Course: Main

Equipment Needed:

• Mixing bowls
• Large skillet with lid
• Small saucepan
• Wooden skewers or toothpicks
• Sharp knife
• Chopping board
• Spoon
• Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  # Calamari Ripieni here.

Ingredients

For the Stuffing:

• 8 medium-sized squid (cleaned, tentacles reserved)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free, if needed)
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 egg (or flax egg for vegan substitution)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  # Calamari Ripieni here.

Method

Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Squid

1. Rinse the squid tubes under cold water, removing any residue.
2. Chop the tentacles into small pieces and set aside for the stuffing.

Step 2: Prepare the Stuffing

1. In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, chopped tentacles, salt, and pepper.
2. Beat the egg and add it to the mixture, along with olive oil. Mix well until the stuffing holds together when pressed.

Step 3: Stuff the Squid

1. Using a small spoon, carefully stuff the mixture into the squid tubes, leaving about ½ inch at the top to allow for expansion during cooking.
2. Secure the open end with a toothpick or skewer.

Step 4: Make the Tomato Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5: Cook the Stuffed Squid

1. Place the stuffed squid into the skillet with the tomato sauce.
2. Cover and cook on low heat for 25–30 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
3. Remove from heat and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Variations and Tips

• For a Low-Carb Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or ground nuts.
• For a Vegan Version: Replace the squid with large portobello mushrooms or zucchini boats, and use flax eggs and nutritional yeast in the stuffing.
• Spicy Twist: Add chopped chili peppers to the stuffing for an extra kick.
• Pro Tip: Don’t overstuff the squid, as the filling will expand during cooking.

• Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  # Calamari Ripieni here.