Skip to main content

Rigatoni with Shrimp, Calamari and Basil

3.9

(18)

Image may contain Food Meal Drink Wine Alcohol Beverage Glass and Dish
Rigatoni with Shrimp, Calamari and BasilElinor Carucci

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    40 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 4 main-course servings

Ingredients

1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined, divided
14 ounces cleaned calamari (bodies only; tentacles reserved for another use), divided
12 ounces rigatoni pasta
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 cups thinly sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 3 large)
3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 8-ounce bottle clam juice
1/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese or Parmesan cheese plus additional (for serving)
3/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, divided

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place half of shrimp in medium bowl. Slice half of calamari crosswise into 1/3-inch-wide rings and place in small bowl.

    Step 2

    Coarsely chop remaining shrimp and calamari; place in processor. Using on/off turns, blend until shrimp mixture is finely chopped. Transfer to another medium bowl.

    Step 3

    Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally.

    Step 4

    Meanwhile, heat 5 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks, garlic, and crushed red pepper; sauté until leeks are tender but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add chopped shrimp mixture; stir until shrimp and calamari are just opaque, about 2 minutes. Add clam juice and peas; simmer until flavors blend, about 3 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper. Set sauce aside; cover to keep warm.

    Step 5

    Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add reserved whole shrimp and sauté 2 minutes. Add calamari rings to shrimp; sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté until just opaque, about 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

    Step 6

    Drain pasta; return to same pot. Add chopped shrimp and calamari sauce, 1/2 cup cheese, and 1/2 cup basil and toss to blend.

    Step 7

    Divide pasta among 4 bowls. Top each serving with sautéed shrimp mixture; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup basil. Pass additional cheese separately and serve.

  2. What to drink:

    Step 8

    With the pasta, pour a dry white with a hit of acidity, like the Benito Ferrara 2009 Greco di Tufo (Italy, $25).

Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.