Calamari Fra Diavolo

Calamari Fra Diavolo is a simple Italian recipe for squid stewed in a flavorful fresh tomato sauce. Served as a side with some crusty bread for dipping, or with your favorite pasta for a delicious seafood meal. Of course, red pepper flakes make seafood dishes even better. The whole process is ridiculously easy and takes about 15 to 20 minutes to make, and it is amazingly delicious!

Our mom made this dish often, and she’d call it “calamari marinara” but, today we made it mildly spicy.

A lovely seafood dish you can serve as a side, or as the main course tossed with pasta. The sauce is so good and flavorful – that you have to take some bread and dip it into it (the Italian way!).

We ate every last bite of this dish and soaked up every last drop of the Fra Diavolo sauce with a piece of bread. (It’s the best!)

Calamari Fra Diavolo by 2sistersrecipes.com

Calamari Fra Diavolo… including the ingredients:

  • Calamari – in translation, calamari means squid. It is lightly sweet and tender and absorbs all the rich flavors from the fresh tomato sauce.
  • Fra Diavolo – in Italian means “among the devil” (among the heat). It is a mild-spicy sauce with crushed red pepper, which gives “heat” to the recipe.
  • Olive Oil – extra virgin olive oil adds the “good” fat to the recipe, infusing all the flavors together.
  • Garlic – fresh garlic offers deep aromatic flavors to fresh tomato sauce. It is a must for this recipe.
  • Imported Cherry Tomatoes – canned cherry tomatoes are preferred, and these are found in (14-ounce) cans and imported from Southern Italy where they develop their fragrant, sweet, and succulent flavors.
  • Fresh Italian Parsley – fresh parsley is a must-have for Italian seafood recipes. It adds a pleasant and fresh flavor to the dish.
  • Seasonings – crushed red pepper flakes and sea salt are the only seasonings you will need for this recipe.

How to Prepare & Clean Squid?

1. Frozen Squid: If you use frozen squid, it is best to place the package in your refrigerator to thaw overnight. Then rinse thoroughly and drain before cooking.

2. Fresh Squid: Whether you buy fresh squid tubes or ones that are already pre-cut into rings, you will need to rinse them under cold running water thoroughly and drain them in a colander.

Then examine them, and remove and discard any plastic-like spine bone from the inside.  Next, cut any or all squid tubes on a cutting board, into about 1/2-inch rings.

Squid Tubes in a colander rinsing under running water.  and, cut into rings. by 2sistersrecipes.com

Directions to Make Calamari Fra Diavolo: (*full recipe card below!)

  1. First, Prepare the Squid: Rinse, drain and cut into rings.
White cutting board with squid tubes cut into 1/2-inch pieces. by 2sistersrecipes.com

2. Second, Heat Skillet with Olive Oil and Garlic: Next, in a non-stick large skillet, heat olive oil and toss in the fresh sliced garlic. Sautรฉ the garlic on moderate heat until they turn a golden color, about 2 minutes.

3. Next, Add the Canned Cherry Tomatoes: open and toss in one can (14-ounce) of cherry tomatoes including all the liquid in the can. Sautรฉ the tomatoes for about 1 minute. Then stir in 1/4 cup of water and simmer the tomatoes for about 3 to 4 minutes.

Photos of garlic & olive oil in a skillet, with canned cherry tomatoes, and tomatoes in the skillet. by 2sistersrecipes.com

4. Toss in the Fresh Parsley: Toss in about 3 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley and stir to fragrant the tomato sauce.

5. Add the Calamari Rings and Seasonings: add in the squid rings, along with the sea salt and crushed red pepper flakes.

Fresh parsley tossed into the skillet with cherry tomatoes, then the squid is added. by 2sistersrecipes.com

6. Finally, Simmer the Squid: uncovered, for about 6 to 8 minutes, until the calamari rings are fully cooked, and tender to the bite. Turn off the heat and serve.

Large skillet simmering the calamari in tomato sauce. by 2sistersrecipes.com

Calamari Marinara vs Calamari Fra Diavolo

What is the difference between Marinara and Fra Diavolo? Calamari Marinara and Fra Diavolo are basically the same recipes. The only difference between them is that one is a mild tomato sauce and the other one is spicy.

What to serve with calamari?

Notes and Tips…

  • Do not overcook the calamari or they will end up tough and chewy. Squid cooks up quickly. The calamari rings should be tender to the bite when ready.
  • Not spicy enough? Go ahead and toss in additional crushed red pepper flakes to your desired amount of “heat.”
  • Where to get imported “canned” cherry tomatoes? You can find these imported cherry tomatoes at your gourmet markets, Italian specialty stores, or on amazon.
  • You can garnish this calamari dish with some freshly chopped parsley sprinkled on top, and serve.
  • What tools do we need to make this dish? All you need is a large non-stick skillet, a wooden spoon for stirring, and a cutting board (for cutting squid tubes).

To Store and Reheat…

  • When it comes to seafood dishes, it’s best to enjoy the meal as soon as it is ready to serve.
  • If you happen to have any leftovers, always store them in a sealed container and keep them chilled in the refrigerator. They should be consumed the next day.
  • To reheat, you can easily reheat calamari in a small skillet for a few minutes, until they are warm.

Calamari Fra Diavolo is one of the easiest seafood dishes you can make.

Squid is often fried or boiled and served as an appetizer, like our Shrimp and Calamari Salad. However, as a warm, brothy stew, this recipe is easier and most delicious! 

This Calamari Fra Diavolo is a great dish to serve family and friends!  Try this recipe, youโ€™ll be glad you did!

ENJOY!

Calamari Fra Diavolo by 2sistersrecipes.com

Additional Easy Seafood Recipes…

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Calamari Fra Diavolo

Calamari Fra Diavolo by 2sistersrecipes.com

Calamari Fra Diavolo is a simple Italian recipe for squid stewed in a flavorful fresh tomato sauce with a kick. An easy seafood dish, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to make.

Prep Time 6 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (16-ounces) calamari tubes
  • 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 cloves of garlic - sliced
  • 14-ounce can of cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 Tbsp. freshly chopped Italian parsley
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 tsp. sea salt

Instructions

  1. First, Prepare the Squid: Rinse, drain and cut tubes into 1/2-inch rings.
  2. Second, Heat Skillet with Olive Oil and Garlic: Next, in a non-stick large skillet, heat olive oil and toss in the fresh sliced garlic. Sauté the garlic on moderate heat until they turn a golden color, about 2 minutes.
  3. Next, Add the Canned Cherry Tomatoes: open and toss in one can (14-ounce) of cherry tomatoes including all the liquid in the can. Sauté the tomatoes for about 1 minute. Then stir in 1/4 cup of water and simmer the tomatoes for about 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Toss in the Fresh Parsley: Toss in about 3 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley and stir to fragrant the tomato sauce.
  5. Add the Calamari Rings and Seasonings: add in the squid rings, along with the sea salt and crushed red pepper flakes.
  6. Simmer the Squid: uncovered, for about 6 to 8 minutes, until the calamari rings are fully cooked, and tender to the bite.
  7. Turn off the heat and serve. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley on top.


Serves 4 to 6 servings

Notes

1. Frozen Squid: If you use frozen squid, it is best to place the package in your refrigerator to thaw overnight. Then rinse thoroughly and drain before cooking.

2. Fresh Squid: Whether you buy fresh squid tubes or ones that are already pre-cut into rings, you will need to rinse them under cold running water thoroughly and drain them in a colander.
๏ปฟ

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4 to 6 servings

Serving Size:

1 cup

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Total Fat: 10.6gCarbohydrates: 5.9gFiber: .9gSugar: 1.8gProtein: 12.6g

Did you make this recipe?

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Happy Cooking …

xo anna and liz

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