Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp

This Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp is so tasty! Simple and versatile, these unique al dente noodles are covered in a cream sauce and topped with tender shrimp.

This Squid Ink Pasta may look different, but the flavor is incredible. The ink of a squid infuses the noodles with seafood flavor, while the garlicky cream-based sauce is enhanced by roasted red peppers and salty Parmesan cheese. The dish is finished off with tender and juicy shrimp that pair well with the briny taste of the black ink. You'll love the way these silky black noodles taste in this rich and creamy sauce. This squid pasta is a beautiful dish that's perfect for a dinner party or special occasion. 

Video Tutorial

What is Squid Ink Pasta

Squid ink pasta is a classic egg noodle that has been colored and flavored with squid ink, giving it a briny flavor that works well with seafood. It has a deep black hue. While the aroma of these noodles is noticeable, the flavor is mild so it can be paired with many different sauces. It comes as squid ink spaghetti or squid ink linguini. This ingredient can be found at Trader Joe's, World Market, Whole Foods, or your local grocery store.

How does Squid Ink Pasta taste like

Due to their high concentration of amino acids, Squid Ink Pasta has a savory and subtle briny flavor with umami notes. Despite these flavors, they come off as neutral, making the pasta very versatile.

Main Ingredients

• Squid Ink Pasta. Of course, if you want to use plain pasta, you can do that, too.
• Roasted Peppers. You can use store-bought jarred roasted peppers or roast them yourself.
• Garlic. Fresh is best here.
• Olive Oil. Good quality extra virgin olive oil, please.
• Shrimp. I like to cut the shrimp into bite-sized pieces.
• Cream. You can use Half & Half or heavy cream.
• Parmesan. Real Parmigiano Regianno gives the best flavor.
• Spices. Kosher salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. You can also add black pepper if you like.

How to make Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp

1. Remove the roasted peppers from the jar and discard the liquid. Place them on the cutting board and chop very finely (almost puree). Transfer them into a small bowl and set aside.

2. Start heating up the water for the pasta. Place a large pot of water with salt over medium-high heat.

3. To make the sauce, add the olive oil and garlic to a large skillet and cook for 1 minute over medium heat.

4. To the garlic, add the finely chopped roasted peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes.

5. At this point, add the shrimp, salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 3-4 minutes.

6. As the shrimp is cooking, it's a great time to add the black pasta to the large pot of salted water.

7. Add cream and Parmesan to the shrimp, reduce the heat to low, and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring often. Taste if any salt is needed.

8. Lastly, add the black squid ink pasta to the shrimp sauce and stir well. Use a cup of pasta water if the sauce needs to be thinned. Serve immediately. Garnish with Parmesan and/or fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Tips for the best Squid Ink Pasta

• Salt the pasta water. Salting the water that the pasta cooks in will infuse it with flavor much better than adding salt after the fact.
• Don't overcook the shrimp. Shrimp can overcook easily, making them rubbery and unappetizing. Only cook them enough that they turn opaque and pink throughout.
• Don't rinse the pasta. Rinsing the cooked pasta will wash away the starch on the noodles and help the sauce stick.
• Thin the pasta with pasta water. If your sauce is on the thicker side, thin it with reserved pasta water that will contain starch to help it mix well with the sauce and stick to the fresh squid ink pasta.

Variations to this Recipe

• Use a different pasta. You can substitute the squid ink pasta with spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine, penne, or your favorite gluten-free pasta.
• Make the sauce lighter. Lighten this sauce up by substituting fat-free Half & Half or whole milk for the cream. You can also use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes and tomato sauce to substitute a red sauce for the cream sauce.
• Substitute the shrimp. Instead of shrimp, you can add other meats or fresh seafood, such as salmon, chicken, scallops, calamari, clams, or mussels.
• Add white wine. Add some white wine for a subtle flavor enhancement that tastes delicious with the garlic and Parmesan in this sauce.

How to Store and Reheat it

Store this Squid Ink Pasta recipe in an airtight container once it has cooled. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, warming through without overcooking the shrimp.

What to Serve this with

• Bread. Serve this pasta dish with some bread to sop up the delicious sauce. Try it with this Air Fryer Garlic Bread or Potato Flatbread.
• Salad. Start the meal with a salad, like this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Wedge Salad, Spring Mix Salad, or Refreshing Cucumber Salad.
• Soup. Enjoy this Squid Ink Pasta with a bowl of Hearty Mushroom Soup, Lentil and Kale Soup, Creamy Broccoli Orzo, or Turkey Cabbage Soup.
• Vegetables. Pair this pasta with some Steamed Asparagus, Steamed Broccoli Rabe, Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Bok Choy Stir Fry, or Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes.

I hope you enjoy this Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp as much as I do. It's unique, flavorful, and simple to make. You can't go wrong serving this dish!

Please, let me know how you liked the by leaving a comment or a star rating. Printable recipe and nutrition information is located in the recipe card right below!

More tasty pasta recipes:

• Cheesy Cavatappi Pasta
• Radiatore Pasta in Creamy Sauce
• Mafaldine Pasta in Tomato Sauce
• Chicken Angel Hair Pasta