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Spicy Tomato Pasta

A delicious and comforting pasta dish featuring a creamy tomato sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (omit if you’re dairy-free) Omit for dairy-free version
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2/3 cup full fat coconut milk or heavy cream Use coconut milk for dairy-free option
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 pound fusilli pasta (can use brown rice pasta if preferred) Brown rice pasta is a gluten-free option
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water (from cooked pasta pot) Important for sauce consistency
  • Fresh basil for serving (optional) Adds flavor and decoration

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Gather all ingredients and prepare your workspace.
  2. Bring a large lidded stockpot of salted water to a boil.
  3. Pour olive oil into a large, deep skillet over medium heat and let it warm.
  4. Add diced onion and smashed garlic to the skillet; cook for about five minutes until onion is soft and translucent.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and crushed red pepper flakes; cook for another five minutes until the paste starts to brown.
  6. Add a splash of water to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom.
  7. Pour in coconut milk or heavy cream, stirring until smooth and creamy; turn off heat and cover the skillet.
  8. Cook the fusilli pasta in boiling water for two minutes less than package directions for slight undercooking.
  9. Before draining the pasta, scoop out one cup of pasta water and set aside.
  10. Transfer pasta directly into the skillet with the tomato sauce using a slotted spoon.
  11. Add half a cup of reserved pasta water and half of the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet; stir to combine.
  12. Adjust sauce consistency by adding more pasta water as needed.
  13. Serve the pasta warm in shallow bowls, garnished with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container. In the fridge for 3-4 days, in the freezer for up to 2 months.