Last week, I hosted a one-pot dish party with a bunch of my friends, and it was an absolute blast!
Everyone brought their favorite dishes, and soon the table was overflowing with fresh salads, homemade casseroles, and baked goodies. Among all these delicious meals, one dish particularly stood out and stole everyone’s attention: Sarah’s spicy pasta recipe.
As soon as Sarah uncovered her dish, the delicious aroma of tomatoes and herbs filled the air, drawing everyone’s attention to it. Coated in a vibrant sauce with fresh coriander and chili flakes on top, the pasta looked absolutely stunning and too good to resist! Needless to say, the next few minutes were spent with everyone digging in with their forks and enjoying every flavorful bite of the pasta!
Seeing how much we loved it, Sarah shared the recipe behind this incredible dish. To my surprise, it’s actually quite simple to make. I tried it myself and the dish turned out exactly the same- delicious with a spicy kick!
Today, I am excited to share this recipe with you all so you can enjoy a taste of our party and feel like you were right there with us.
Spice Level Guide to Make Spicy Pasta Recipe
When it comes to spiciness, we all have different levels of preferences. From mild to extra hot, you can customize this pasta recipe as much as you want!
Before I start my recipe, let’s give you some strategies to control the heat level of this dish:
Mild
I have made this dish with a moderate spice level in mind. However, if you want your pasta to be extra mild, use ¼ tsp or just a pinch of chili flakes instead of the 1 tsp that I used in this recipe.
Alternatively, if you don’t like the taste of red pepper flakes in your pasta, you can use bell peppers instead. Bell peppers add very little heat, but lots of flavor to the dish. You can also use ½ tsp of sweet paprika for a smoky flavor without increasing the spice level.
Medium
For mild spiciness, you can just follow the exact measurements given in this recipe. With just 1 tsp of chili, your pasta will have a spicy kick without making you turn red in the face.
For a change of taste, you can also add jalapenos, with or without. Chop the jalapenos finely, remove the seeds, and saute them with the onions to add a fresh and fruity flavor to the dish.
Hot
Craving a bold heat in your dish? Let’s turn up the dose of chili flakes!
Use a generous amount of 2 tsp of flakes to add a significant spicy kick to your dish. You can also go for serrano peppers for a change in taste. Chop the serrano peppers finely and add the seeds for an extra burst of spice and flavor that’s bound to create a lasting impression.
Extra Hot!
For the true spice lovers who want to breathe fire with every bite!
This spice level is not for the faint-hearted. However, if you are used to handling spicy food, then take this dish to the next level by adding 3 tsp of chili flakes and 1 tsp of cayenne pepper for a very spicy experience.
Alternatively, you can finely chop habanero peppers and add them to the recipe including seeds. I don’t recommend using all these ingredients at once. Instead, try one variation at a time to find out which one suits your taste the best.
Tips For Adjusting The Spice Level of The Best Spicy and Simple Pasta
Adjusting the spice level can be a little tricky- either you end up with too little or too much! Here are some pointers to help you adjust the spiciness of your pasta dish:
- When it comes to spice, it’s always a good idea to start small. Add a little amount of spice and taste to see if you need more. Gradually increase the amount and let it sit for a bit before tasting. Remember, it’s way easier to add more than to tone the heat down.
- No matter how careful you are, there will be times when you end up with too much pasta! Fret not; I’ve got you covered in those situations.
While cooking this dish, keep some soothing dairy products in hand, like cream, yogurt, or cheese, to neutralize the spiciness. You can also use sugar or natural sweeteners like honey to balance the spice level of the dish.
- If you are cooking for a large group of people, it will be difficult to guess how much spice each person prefers. In a scenario like this, cook your pasta with a moderate spice level and serve it with a side of hot sauce or extra chili flakes so that everyone can adjust the heat to their own preference.
For cooling side dishes, you can serve cucumber salad or raita so your guests can use them to balance the heat if necessary.
- While cutting and handling the red pepper flakes, it’s a good idea to use gloves on your hands. Remember to wash your gloves and hands afterward to avoid burning your skin or eyes.
- Spicy dishes taste even better with a refreshing contrast element. To balance out the heat and add a fresh note to the dish, consider adding a splash of lemon juice, lime juice or vinegar. These acidic additions help tone down the spice level with a citrusy kick making the dish burst with tasty flavor.
Recipe Card
Spicy Pasta Recipe | Easy Spicy Pasta
Ingredients
For Pasta
- 1 tbsp Salt.
- 2 cups Penne Pasta
For Sauce
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 1 small-size Onion (Finely Chopped)
- ½ cup Tomato Paste
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Mixed Herb
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
For Garnishing
- Chili Flakes
- Chopped Coriander
Equipments
- Small Bowls
Instructions
Boil The Pasta
- Place a large pot on the stove and fill it with water. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Add 1 tbsp of salt to the water and 2 cups of pasta to the pot.
- Boil the pasta for about 8-10 minutes or according to the package instructions. Stir occasionally.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Drain the excess water and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set it aside for later use.
Prepare The Sauce
- Bring a large pot and put it on the stove over medium heat.
- Pour 4 tbsp of olive oil into it. Add 2 tbsp of butter and let it melt.
- Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1 tsp of chili flakes to the pan.
- Cook for 1 minute while stirring frequently.
- Add 1 small-sized finely chopped onion. Stir and cook the onions for 2-3 minutes.
- Add ½ cup of tomato paste to the onion. Stir and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes allowing the tomato paste to blend with the onions.
- Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and mix thoroughly with the tomato paste.
- Sprinkle ¼ tsp of salt, 1 tsp of mixed herb, and ½ tsp of black pepper over the mixture. Keep stirring to prevent burning.
- Add a little amount of the pasta water, stir, and let it simmer.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Sprinkle ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese over the pasta until it’s fully melted.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water as needed.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss gently until the pasta is completely coated with the sauce.
Garnish and Serve!
- Garnish the pasta dish with a sprinkle of chili flakes and chopped coriander.
- Serve the penne pasta on a plate and sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
Video
There you have it! The sweetness of the tomatoes, spicy kick from the chilies and the aromatic notes of herbs- they all work harmoniously to create this perfectly balanced dish.
The sprinkled cheese on top counters the rich tomato sauce with its creamy texture and melting goodness. Take a bite and see for yourself why we couldn’t get enough of this dish at the party!
Recipe FAQs
You can adjust the spice level of this recipe by reducing the amount of chili and red pepper flakes. If the sauce becomes too spicy, add more cream or cheese to bring down the heat.
You can use any thick pasta that holds the sauce well, including Penne, Spaghetti, Fusilli, Rigatoni, or Linguine.
You can serve spicy pasta with roasted vegetables, salad, garlic bread, cheese, shrimp, soup, etc.
If you are short on time, you can use store-bought sauce for this recipe. The taste may not be exactly the same, but with additional spices and cheese, you will still get a delicious and flavorful meal.
