Stuffed Calamari in Tomato Sauce—Calamari Ripieni—is a classic Italian dish that’s as elegant as it is comforting 🇮🇹🦑. It’s especially popular in Southern Italy and often graces the table during holidays like Christmas Eve’s Feast of the Seven Fishes.
🍅 What It Is
Tender squid tubes are filled with a savory mixture of breadcrumbs, chopped tentacles, garlic, herbs, cheese, and sometimes seafood like shrimp or crab. They’re then simmered gently in a rich tomato sauce until perfectly tender.
🧂 Typical Ingredients
For the stuffing:
Calamari tentacles (finely chopped)
Day-old bread or breadcrumbs
Garlic & onion
Fresh parsley
Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
Egg (to bind)
Olive oil
Optional: shrimp, scallops, or crab
For the sauce:
Olive oil
Garlic
Crushed tomatoes or passata
White wine
Basil or oregano
Salt & pepper
