What Is Squid Ink Pasta? A Guide to This Dramatic, Delicious Italian Classic

If you’ve ever seen jet-black strands of pasta on a restaurant menu or your social feed and wondered what is that?!, let me introduce you to one of Italy’s most striking (and delicious) culinary traditions: squid ink pasta.

What Exactly Is Squid Ink Pasta?

Squid ink pasta—often called nero di seppia in Italian—is regular pasta dough that's been enriched and colored with squid or cuttlefish ink. The result? A dramatic black pasta with a unique briny, savory flavor profile.

✅ Key Characteristics:

Color: Deep black, thanks to the natural pigment in squid ink.
Flavor: Subtly oceanic, savory, with umami richness—without being overly “fishy.”
Texture: Just like traditional pasta, it can be made fresh or dried in various shapes.

Squid ink doesn’t just dye the pasta black—it gives it a sophisticated, slightly salty marine note that elevates seafood sauces beautifully.

How Is It Made?

Squid ink pasta is made much like regular pasta, with an extra ingredient:

Ingredients: Semolina flour (or all-purpose), water or eggs, and squid/cuttlefish ink.
The ink is kneaded directly into the dough, giving it its signature color and taste.
It can be shaped into spaghetti, linguine, tagliolini, or even stuffed pastas.

Many Italian coastal regions—especially Sicily and Venice—are famous for using squid ink in pasta and risotto dishes.

What Does It Taste Like?

Squid ink pasta doesn’t taste fishy in the way you might expect. Instead, it offers:

A gentle briny, ocean-like savoriness
Rich umami depth that pairs incredibly well with seafood
A subtle salty, mineral quality

Think of it as adding the taste of the sea in the most elegant, understated way.

How Do You Use Squid Ink Pasta?

Because of its unique flavor, squid ink pasta shines when paired with:

Seafood sauces: Shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, mussels
Garlic and white wine sauces
Tomato-based seafood ragùs
A squeeze of lemon and fresh herbs for brightness

It's a show-stopping centerpiece perfect for dinner parties, romantic meals, or whenever you want to make an impression.

Where to Buy It

Squid ink pasta is increasingly easy to find:

Specialty Italian markets
Gourmet grocery stores
Online retailers

You can also buy squid ink itself (in jars or sachets) to make your own pasta from scratch.

✨ Final Thoughts
Squid ink pasta isn’t just beautiful—it’s delicious. Its subtle briny flavor is tailor-made for seafood lovers, while its striking color turns any meal into an event.

Whether you’re cooking for friends or treating yourself to something special, squid ink pasta is a culinary adventure worth trying!

Ink Squid Pasta with Shrimp

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup chopped onion
2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in half
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 Tsp fresh thyme chopped or ½ Tsp dried thyme.
12 ounces of squid ink pasta
12 ounces of shrimp peeled and deveined
¼ cup dry white wine; rose or pinot grigio work best
½ Tsp crushed red pepper
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup feta cheese
Fresh basil

Instructions:

To prepare this dish, start by cooking the squid ink pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (Save 1/2 cup of the water because you will use it later in the recipe).
In a separate pan, heat olive oil. Sauté minced garlic and onions until fragrant. They should be soft but not brown. This will only take a few minutes.
Stir in grape tomatoes, thyme 1.2 Tsp salt and black pepper to taste. Lower the heat and cook until tomatoes are soft and juicy. This should take about 5-6 minutes.
Turn the heat back to medium and add the shrimp. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the shrimp becomes opaque and tightly curled. Stir frequently while they are cooking.
Once the shrimp are ready, gently toss the cooked pasta into the pan. Add the cooked pasta and a few Tbsp. of the water you set back to the skillet. Gently toss the pasta until it combines with the sauce ensuring the strands are well-coated with the savory sauce. Sprinkle with feta cheese and basil.

Finish off the dish with a sprinkle of feta cheese and basil. You will want to serve this dish immediately. Not only does it delight the palate with its rich flavors but also provides a visually stunning centerpiece for any dining table, making it an ideal choice for special occasions, a luxurious weeknight meal or someone wanting to try a new recipe.

Ink Squid Pasta With Shrimp