Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsPia's TrattoriaCalamari Recipe

Calamari Recipe

Inspired by Pia's Trattoria
Time40m
Serves4

Fried calamari served with marinara sauce.

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Calamari

Marinara Sauce

Method

Calamari

  1. 1

    Prepare the Calamari

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

  2. 2

    Mix the Coating

    In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well.

  3. 3

    Coat the Calamari

    Dredge each calamari ring in the flour mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. Shake off any excess flour.

  4. 4

    Heat the Oil

    In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

  5. 5

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully add the coated calamari rings to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.

  6. 6

    Drain and Serve

    Remove the fried calamari from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

Marinara Sauce

  1. 7

    Sauté the Garlic

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

  2. 8

    Add Tomatoes and Spices

    Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir to combine.

  3. 9

    Simmer the Sauce

    Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

  4. 10

    Serve with Calamari

    Remove the marinara sauce from the heat and serve it warm alongside the fried calamari.

More from Pia's Trattoria