Description
Witches Hair Pasta, also known as Squid Ink Pasta, is a strikingly dark and flavorful Italian dish featuring squid ink pasta tossed in a garlicky, lemon-infused sauce with a hint of white wine or vegetable broth. This elegant yet simple dish is perfect for a dramatic Halloween dinner or any occasion where you want to impress with bold flavors and an eye-catching presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Squid Ink Pasta
- 12 ounces squid ink pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Serving (Optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the squid ink pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Add Liquid: Pour in the white wine or vegetable broth. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly and deepen the flavors.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss everything together thoroughly until the pasta is well coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season and Garnish: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Give it a final toss for even flavor distribution.
- Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving plates. Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a seafood variation, add sautéed shrimp, scallops, or clams to enhance the oceanic flavors.
- To keep the recipe vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of white wine and omit any seafood additions.
- This pasta makes a fun and dramatic dish for Halloween dinners, thanks to its rich black color and bold garlic-lemon taste.
- Be careful not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps to marry sauce and pasta together nicely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
