Squid Ink Pasta with Spicy Parmesan and Prawn Sauce

This squid ink pasta with spicy parmesan and prawn sauce is a show-stopping dish that’s as delicious as it is dramatic. Jet-black squid ink fettuccine is topped with a rich, spicy tomato sugo loaded with juicy prawns, cherry tomatoes and fresh parsley, finished with a bright hit of lime and parmesan. Served alongside golden garlic parmesan toasts, this pasta is guaranteed to impress.

Bold, vibrant and surprisingly easy to pull together, this is the perfect recipe when you want to serve something truly memorable without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Stunning presentation with dramatic squid ink pasta
• Rich, spicy tomato and prawn sauce
• Crispy garlic parmesan toasts on the side
• Ready in under 30 minutes
• Great value at around $11.50 per serve
• Perfect for date night or entertaining guests

Why make squid ink pasta?

Squid ink pasta has a subtle briny, oceanic flavour that pairs beautifully with seafood — especially a bold, spicy prawn sauce like this one. Beyond the flavour, the striking black colour makes for a truly memorable presentation that looks like something you’d order at a fine dining restaurant.

Paired with a garlicky tomato sugo, fresh cherry tomatoes and a squeeze of lime, the sauce cuts through the richness of the pasta beautifully. The parmesan toasts alongside are the finishing touch that takes this from great to unforgettable.

Ingredients (serves 4)

Servings4

Garlic parmesan toasts

• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small day-old baguette, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Spicy prawn sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
• 1 small red chilli, finely sliced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 700 ml tomato sugo
• 150 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 400 g raw prawns, peeled
• ½ bunch flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

To serve

• 500g dry squid ink fettuccine, cooked per packet instructions
• Extra flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• Lime wedges
• Extra grated parmesan cheese

Allergens: May contain gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, milk and fish. Always read product labels to ensure ingredients suit your dietary needs.

How to make squid ink pasta with spicy prawn sauce

Step 1: Make the garlic parmesan toasts

Preheat oven to 200°C. Place butter and garlic in a small saucepan and gently heat until the butter melts and becomes infused with the garlic.

Brush both sides of each baguette slice with the garlic butter and place on a lined baking tray. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes, then turn the slices over and sprinkle each with grated parmesan. Bake for a further 3 to 4 minutes or until crispy and golden.

Step 2: Make the spicy prawn sauce

Heat a large heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and allow to heat through. Add garlic and chilli and cook for 2 minutes.

Add tomato paste and sugo and cook for a further 3 to 4 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes, prawns and parsley and continue cooking until the prawns are just cooked through.

Remove from heat. Stir through lime zest, lime juice and grated parmesan until well combined.

Step 3: Assemble and serve

Place warm cooked squid ink pasta on a large serving platter. Spoon the spicy prawn sauce over the top.

Finish with a sprinkle of extra parsley and parmesan, and serve immediately with lime wedges and garlic parmesan toasts on the side.

Tips for best results

• Use a day-old baguette for the toasts — slightly stale bread crisps up better in the oven
• Don’t overcook the prawns — add them last and remove from heat as soon as they turn pink
• Add the lime zest and juice off the heat to preserve the fresh citrus flavour
• Cook the squid ink pasta until just al dente so it holds up under the sauce
• Serve immediately — squid ink pasta is at its best fresh and hot
• Adjust the chilli to your heat preference — one small chilli gives a gentle warmth

Serving suggestions

This squid ink pasta pairs perfectly with:

• A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Extra garlic parmesan toasts for the table
• A chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
• Chilli flakes on the side for extra heat
• A simple rocket and parmesan salad

Final thoughts

This squid ink pasta with spicy parmesan and prawn sauce is one of those dishes that delivers on every level — visually stunning, deeply flavourful, and genuinely easy to make. The combination of the dramatic black pasta, bold spicy tomato sauce, plump prawns and crispy garlic toasts creates a meal that feels like a special occasion, even on a Tuesday night.

Whether you’re cooking for a date night, a dinner party or simply want to treat yourself to something extraordinary, this pasta is a recipe you’ll reach for time and time again. Give it a try — and don’t forget the extra parmesan.