Crispy Fried Calamari Spaghetti Marinara

Thursday, February 10, 2011
This is a special dish we love around Valentine's Day for two people celebrating at home Crispy Fried Calamari topped high on Spaghetti Marinara.

All are shortcut simple recipes and will come perfect with all homemade easy to find ingredients.

We added some suggestions and mix-ins below and for a printable copy of this recipe just scroll down to the bottom of the post.









Fried Calamari Made Easy with Marinara Topped Pasta!



Two shortcut recipes made for two people and the perfect meal for a special occasion.


During a busy weekday, this pasta comes together quickly and satisfies even the heartiest of appetites.


Homemade marinara, with crispy fried calamari on top of some store-bought or if you have time time our grandma's homemade spaghetti in this delicious dish.


garlic pasta in creamy sauce


Here is a Quick Look Step-by-Step Making this Creamy Garlic Pasta:

  1. rinse the calamari and thaw if frozen ( if you buy tubes cut into rings)
  2. make the marinara sauce
  3. flour the calamari and fry in hot oil
  4. cook pasta in another pot to package instructions
  5. Optional: grated Pecorino Romano cheese, garnish with parsley or another herb you prefer like basil or both!




Additions Mix-Ins with Pasta Substitutions



Pin for later Fried Calamari Made Easy with Marinara Topped Pasta!




fried calamari topped pasta, calamari and pasta dish, fried calamari, quick marinara sauce
seafood and pasta recipes, calamari recipes, marinara sauce recipes
American, Italian
Yield: 2
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Crispy Fried Calamari Spaghetti Marinara

Crispy Fried Calamari Spaghetti Marinara

This is a quickly fried calamari, marinara sauce-topped pasta dish.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Calamari cut (if you buy tubes cut into rings)
  • 1 1/2 cup seasoned flour (1 teaspoon each granulated garlic powder, salt, black pepper)
  • oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
  • Quick Marinara Sauce
  • 1- 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes (any follow)
  • 3 cloves of minced garlic
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 fresh torn basil leaves
  • Garnish: grated Pecorino Romano cheese, chopped fresh basil
  • Serve with garlic bread and pasta of choice
  • 8 ounces of any kind of pasta cooked to package instructions (we prefer angel hair or linguine)

Instructions

  1. Place the marinara sauce in a saucepan and heat for around 30 minutes in a low simmer.
  2. Cut the calamari and rinse.
  3. Heat around 1 cup of oil in a deep frying pan to medium heat.
  4. In a large ziplock bag add the seasoning to the flour.
  5. Shake the calamari into the seasoned flour.
  6. Fry until golden and crispy on both sides around 2 minutes on each side.
  7. Make any kind of pasta according to package instructions.
  8. Assembly:
  9. Add the pasta to a plate, top with marinara, and then the crispy calamari.

Notes

Additions Mix-Ins with Pasta Substitutions

  • fresh spinach leaves
  • sliced onions
  • sauteed mushrooms 
  • sauteed broccoli rabe
  • diced tomatoes
  • artichoke hearts
  • cooked boneless chicken, steak, pork tenderloin, lamb
  • stir-fried,  roasted, or steamed vegetables
  • shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams
  • linguine, spaghetti, angel hair, penne pasta, shells, or bow-tie pasta are also great with this recipe


The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.




Pin for later Fried Calamari Made Easy with Marinara Topped Pasta!





More Recipes to Try:



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15 Pasta Recipes
Shrimp Fra Diavolo

19 comments

  1. Claudia I would normally like to keep my fried calamari far away from my pasta (although I do make pasta with calamari sauce), but your photo makes this look so good that I think I will try it!

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  2. Calamari, here I come! Hahaha! You've nailed my heart, Claudia!

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  3. Only recently have I tried Calamari and I love it. This comes at the right time for me and looks delicious!

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  4. U made wonderful and scrumptious dish here with my fave calamari...hmm..looks yummy C! ^_^

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  5. Those crispy fried calamari look fabulous!!! Lovely dish, Claudia!

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  6. I think we need to eat more fish. Part of my problem with fish is not having a good affordable source.

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  7. Fabulous, delicious, and so so pretty!

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  8. Claudia- I love the way your fried calamari turned out, love the tentacles, especially...so crunchy and yummy.
    The only other thing, I do not serve it with pasta when its fried...just have the Marinara sauce for dipping, because cannot have just a few...got to make a huge batch!
    Yumm!!!

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  9. I am loving this - the calamari is hard to get here so mostly dream. Love it over angel hair and the photo is beautiful, Claudia.

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  10. Love calamari and of course I love pasta. So this one is a real winner for me.

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  11. You always amaze me with how the simple pasta can look more elegant and classy.

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  12. I absolutely adore fried calamari. What a wonderful pasta dish this is!

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  13. My daughter loves nothing more than fried calamari. This looks so beautiful Claudia!

    Very delicious & beautiful presentation!

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  14. Another one I would never think of eating together but LOVE it!

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  15. Oh that is so good! One of the best meals...I love eating my calamari with pasta!

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  16. Beautiful looking dish Claudia! Wowee! I do love calamari!!

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  17. I adore calamari. I love the crunch in this pasta.

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  18. This pasta looks amazing! Simple and delicious!

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  19. My husband is the seafood lover in the family and he would adore this dish. You've been very busy Claudia, hope you're getting some rest.

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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