Spicy Lemon-Chile Squid Pasta

Spicy Lemon-Chile Squid Pasta

30 mins
medium
4 servings

A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender squid, bright lemon, and a touch of spicy Calabrian chili. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

ItalianPastaQuickSummer

Equipment Needed

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • 8.00 ozDried Pappardelle Pasta(Or substitute with other pasta shapes like bucatini or spaghetti.)
  • 2.00 mediumLemon(For zest and juice.)
  • 4.00 mediumGarlic Cloves(Finely minced.)
  • 2.00 TbspExtra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1.00 lbCleaned Squid(Bodies sliced ¼ inch thick, tentacles left whole.)
  • 5.00 TbspUnsalted Butter(Divided)
  • 1.00 tspKosher Salt(Or Diamond Crystal.)
  • 1.00 TbspCalabrian Chili Paste(Adjust to taste.)
  • LeavesFresh Basil(Torn)
  • 2.00 cupsPasta Water(Reserved from cooking pasta.)

Instructions

1

Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1.5 cups of pasta water.

Estimated time: 8 minutes

2

Zest and juice lemons. Mince garlic.

Estimated time: 3 minutes

3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté lemon zest and garlic until fragrant (30 seconds). Add half the lemon juice and reduce slightly.

Estimated time: 5 minutes

4

Add squid, 2 tablespoons butter, salt, and 0.5 cup pasta water. Stir until butter melts and squid is partially cooked (2 minutes).

Estimated time: 4 minutes

5

Add cooked pasta, chili paste, and remaining pasta water. Stir until sauce thickens and coats pasta (2-3 minutes).

Estimated time: 5 minutes

6

Stir in remaining butter, pepper, and fresh basil.

Estimated time: 2 minutes

7

Add remaining lemon juice and toss to combine.

Estimated time: 1 minutes

8

Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil, if desired.

Estimated time: 1 minutes

9

Season with extra pepper to taste.

Estimated time: 1 minutes

10

Divide pasta among bowls and enjoy!

Estimated time: 1 minutes