I didn’t plan this dish at all—it just came together from what I had on hand. There was a small amount of leftover linguine, a handful of shrimp in the fridge, and a couple of cans of calamari sitting in the pantry. I figured I’d throw something quick together, not expecting much, but it completely surprised me. As everything cooked down, the calamari turned out to be the real star, releasing a rich, briny flavor that blended beautifully with the garlic, pasta, and shrimp. It practically created its own sauce—silky, savory, and incredibly satisfying. What started as a simple “use what you have” meal quickly turned into one of those dishes you can’t stop thinking about. Honestly, it tasted like something you’d order at a cozy seaside restaurant, and I’ll definitely be making it again.
It tasted as good if not better than any seafood pasta I have made or tried in the restaurant. It is creamy, seafood flavour and delish soft shrimp. It tastes even better the next day.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Serves
4
Ingredients
- Linguine ( enough for 3-4 ppl) – 1/4 of packet
- 2 cans of calamari in a tomato sauce
- 5-10 argentina shrimp
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup of cream ( use more or less depending)
- 1/4- 1/2 cup of grate cheese(hard cheese better-used guyre)
- herbs
- butter ( 1-2 tbsp)
- chilli flakes
Steps
1
Defrost the shrimp. Get the water boiling as the sauce does not take a lot of time to make. Chop a medium yellow onion and add to the pan with some olive oil. When the onion is soft and translucent, add in 3 cloves of chopped garlic.
2
Add the shrimp and sprinkle on some herbs. Add in a nob of butter. Do not over cook the shrimp. Add in some chilli flakes. Once it’s cooked a few mins, add in the canned calamari with sauce. This is already cooked and stir it all together.
3
Add in whipping cream to the sauce. Do not add too much start with 1/4 and then add a bit more. Cook it on low heat and add in dried parsley.
4
Once the pasta is cooked add it to the sauce. Once it’s all coated then add on top shredded cheese on the hot pasta. Stir it altogether and add salt if needed.
This is such an easy pasta! The canned calamari really makes this dish!
And just like that, a simple mix of leftovers turned into something unexpectedly unforgettable. This seafood pasta is proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients or a complicated plan to create a truly delicious meal—sometimes the best dishes happen when you trust your instincts and work with what you have. The rich, briny flavor from the calamari combined with the shrimp and pasta makes this recipe one you’ll want to come back to again and again.
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below, share your own twists, or tag me if you post it—I’m always excited to see your creations. And if you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to save it and share it with someone who loves a good, easy seafood pasta! 🍝