If you’re looking to elevate your seafood game, Greek-Style Baked Stuffed Calamari should be at the top of your list. This dish brings together the tender, slightly sweet flavor of calamari with a savory, herby stuffing that’s full of Mediterranean flair. Perfect for a special occasion or a flavorful weeknight dinner, this stuffed calamari will transport your taste buds straight to the Greek islands.
The secret to this dish lies in the stuffing. A classic Greek filling made of rice, fresh herbs like parsley and dill, garlic, and crumbled feta cheese provides a satisfying balance of textures and flavors. The rice is tender, the herbs fragrant, and the feta adds a creamy, salty richness that complements the calamari perfectly.
To prepare, the calamari tubes are carefully stuffed with the filling, ensuring every bite is full of flavor. They’re then baked until the calamari is tender and the stuffing is golden and slightly crispy on top. The result is a dish that’s both light and hearty, with a wonderful contrast of textures between the tender calamari and the crunchy stuffing.
Greek-Style Baked Stuffed Calamari is often served with a side of lemon wedges and a drizzle of olive oil, enhancing the fresh flavors and bringing out the natural sweetness of the seafood. It pairs wonderfully with a simple Greek salad or a side of roasted vegetables, making for a complete Mediterranean meal.
This dish is a great way to enjoy calamari in a new way – it’s not deep-fried but instead baked to retain all the natural flavors while adding a savory, wholesome stuffing. Whether you’re a seasoned seafood lover or new to calamari, this Greek-style dish will make you fall in love with the flavors of the Mediterranean all over again.
Ingredients
- 12 squid large, cleaned and tentacles chopped
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped fresh
- 1/4 cup dill chopped fresh
- 1/4 cup mint chopped fresh
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 Lemon zest and juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the squid tentacles and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parsley, dill, mint, kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stuff each squid body with the breadcrumb mixture and secure with toothpicks.
- Place the stuffed squid in a baking dish and drizzle with some olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the squid is tender and the filling is golden brown.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Good flavor, but I found it a bit dry. I probably should’ve drizzled more olive oil or added a splash of something to the filling.
Not bad, but I think the squid was a little chewy. Maybe I cooked it too long?
Why do people eat squid? Would rather have chicken!
I think squid has a unique flavor that chicken can’t match! But to each their own. 😄
Way too many ingredients for a simple dish. I prefer it with fewer items.
I get what you mean! Sometimes less is more. But I think the flavors in this dish really come from all those ingredients. It’s worth it!
Too many things, that’s for sure. Why do people not just grill the squid instead? Much simpler, I say!
Why would you even bake calamari? Frying is the only way! Just saying…
I totally get what you’re saying! Frying gives it that crispy texture. But baked calamari can be delicious too, just in a different way!
Nah, baking is better! Less oil, healthier. Frying is so greasy!
Looks good!
The ingredient list is gorgeous. Kalamata olives + mint is such an underrated combo. Will definitely try this soon.
Yes!! The mint + Kalamata really makes it taste Greek-garden-y instead of just salty. I’ve never tried it with calamari, but I’m sold—making this next week.
Soo complex for me. Just not sure I can manage all those ingredients.
Nah, it ain’t that complicated. Just take your time! Follow the steps and you’ll be fine. Trust me!
I get it! It looks hard but maybe just start with simpler recipes first? You can try again later!
I don’t know, it seems too complicated? Stuffing squid? My grandma just fried it. Not sure if I’ll try.
Instructions are clear and the ratios feel right. I like that you cool the skillet before mixing—probably helps keep the filling from getting weird.
The cooking time was way off for me. My calamari were rubbery! Anyone else have this problem?
I had a similar issue! Mine turned out chewy too! Did you maybe bake it too long?
I dont think its the time, calamaris are tricky. Did you make sure they were cleaned properly?
I added more garlic because we love it! Tasted real good. 👍
This recipe is absolutely fantastic! The flavors of the herbs with the feta are just to die for. I will definitely make it again!
I’m glad you loved it! The combination really is amazing. I never thought of putting feta in calamari, but now I can’t wait to try it myself!
Isn’t calamari just fried? This seems too fancy.
Stuffed squid! Who woulda thought? It was hard to clean the squid too, kinda gross but worth it in the end!
Ugh, so salty! Did it say to add more salt than needed? I couldn’t even eat it.
I’ve made this before and it was delish! Maybe your salt was just a lil too much or the olives were salty too? Just a thought!
Made it for dinner and it disappeared fast. I chopped the olives a bit bigger and it added nice briny pops. Will cook again.
Yummy! I added some chili flakes for a kick. So good!!
I don’t know about this. Squid is kinda weird, and stuffing it just seems odd. Maybe I’m just not cultured enough.
I had no idea you could stuff squid! Will give it a go, but I might skip the olives, not a fan.
Made it for dinner last night. The filling turned out really nice and golden, but I think my squid needed a couple minutes less so it stayed tender.
Absolutely loved this! The mint + dill combo with the lemon really makes it taste “Greek” in the best way. Mine needed like 35 min but it was super tender.
This is the best calamari recipe I’ve ever tried! The flavors are amazing. Definitely a keeper!
Stuffed calamari? Why not just fry ’em? This doesn’t sound that good.
This sounds great on paper, but squid gets rubbery fast. I’d be nervous about baking it that long. Maybe par-cook first?
This sounds like a flavor bomb—feta + lemon zest + all those herbs is exactly my vibe. I might add a pinch of chili flakes for extra kick.
Totally agree—feta + lemon zest is a killer combo. I’ve done similar with oregano/parsley and it always tastes bright and salty. Chili flakes sounds perfect too.
These were amazing! The flavors were so vibrant. I’ll definitely make them again!
I tried this and it was just okay. Not sure what it was missing, maybe more seasoning? 🤔
Yum! Greek food always hits 🔥
Greek food is the best 😍 This stuffed calamari sounds super flavorful with all that feta, herbs, and lemon—def making it!
Yum indeed—though I’m a little skeptical about baking it that long. Squid can get rubbery fast… maybe check earlier than 35 minutes? Still sounds great.
Yum! I used shrimp instead of squid and added some more lemon juice. It was delicious!