Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Novo Dolce›Calamari Fritti Recipe

Calamari Fritti Recipe

Inspired by Novo Dolce
Time40m
Serves4

Lightly breaded and fried calamari served with marinara sauce.

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Ingredients

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Calamari

Marinara Sauce

Method

Calamari Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Calamari

    Rinse the calamari rings under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

  2. 2

    Make the Breading Mix

    In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

  3. 3

    Prepare the Egg Wash

    In another bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well combined.

  4. 4

    Bread the Calamari

    Dip each calamari ring into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge it in the flour-cornmeal mixture until well coated.

  5. 5

    Heat the Oil

    In a large pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).

  6. 6

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully add the breaded calamari rings to the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Marinara Sauce Preparation

  1. 7

    Sauté the Garlic

    In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  2. 8

    Add Tomatoes and Seasoning

    Pour in the crushed tomatoes, and add dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir to combine.

  3. 9

    Simmer the Sauce

    Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  4. 10

    Finish with Fresh Basil

    Just before serving, stir in fresh basil leaves and cook for an additional minute.

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