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🇲🇦 Morocco · Food

Moroccan Stuffed Calamari

75 min
A great way to spend your free time
🔥 380 kcal
Nicely balanced
🍽 4 servings
Great for the family

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Moroccan Stuffed Calamari🇲🇦 MAAI-generated image

Tender tubes of calamari filled with a fragrant blend of rice, fresh herbs, and aromatic spices. This classic coastal dish captures the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean Moroccan sea-life.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Clean the 500g of calamari tubes well and set aside the tentacles, which you should chop finely.

  • 2

    In a bowl, mix the 100g cooked rice, chopped tentacles, 1 chopped bunch each of parsley and cilantro, and 2 minced garlic cloves.

  • 3

    Add 1 tsp paprika and 1 tbsp olive oil to the stuffing mixture and stir until well combined.

  • 4

    Carefully stuff each calamari tube about three-quarters full, securing the opening with a toothpick.

  • 5

    In a wide pan, heat the remaining 40ml olive oil and sauté the remaining 2 garlic cloves until fragrant.

  • 6

    Stir in the 1 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tsp paprika, adding a splash of water to create a light sauce.

  • 7

    Place the stuffed calamari in the pan, covering them with the sauce, and simmer on low heat for 35 minutes.

  • 8

    Check that the calamari is tender when pierced with a fork before removing the toothpicks and serving immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Moroccan Stuffed Calamari?+

Moroccan Stuffed Calamari is a seafood dish from Morocco consisting of squid tubes filled with a mixture of rice, fresh herbs, garlic, and spices. It is typically braised in a tomato-based sauce and served as a main course for lunch or dinner.

Can I use frozen calamari?+

Yes, but ensure it is completely thawed and dried thoroughly before stuffing to prevent the filling from becoming watery.

How full should I stuff them?+

Only fill them to three-quarters capacity because the rice will expand during cooking and could cause the calamari to burst.

Are the tentacles edible?+

Yes, finely chopping the tentacles adds extra texture and flavor to the filling, reducing food waste.

Can this be baked instead?+

Yes, you can place them in an oven-safe dish with the sauce and bake at 180°C for about 30 minutes.

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