Spicy Tagliatelle Tomato Pasta
Addictive Spicy Kick! Easy Tagliatelle Tomato Pasta Recipe You Can Make at Home
As someone who’s loved tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cakes) since childhood, I surprisingly found myself diving into the world of pasta when my son, then a middle schooler, kept requesting cream pasta. To my surprise, he became quite the pasta aficionado, and now pasta is practically a staple in our household. While I hesitate to admit it, neither of us are exactly ‘normal’ when it comes to our food preferences! On quiet days, I enjoy cooking various dishes for myself, but when life gets hectic or when I feel a surge of maternal affection, I often whip up dishes my son adores, which usually means pasta. I always make sure to keep a variety of pasta types stocked. Today, I decided to use some tagliatelle that had been lingering, giving it a spicy twist with a touch of Vietnamese chili powder. The resulting spicy tomato pasta was so well-received that my son even saved some of the leftover sauce to enjoy later! This recipe makes it incredibly easy for anyone to create a delightful pasta dish at home.
Essential Ingredients- Tagliatelle pasta, 5 servings
- 1/2 tsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) (adjust to taste)
- Parmesan cheese, for grating (to taste)
- Olive oil, for drizzling (finishing)
Flavor-Enhancing Ingredients (Simmer Ingredients)- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 bell pepper (use a mix of colors for visual appeal)
- 1/4 onion
- 5-6 cloves garlic, whole
- 200g cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme (optional)
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 bell pepper (use a mix of colors for visual appeal)
- 1/4 onion
- 5-6 cloves garlic, whole
- 200g cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme (optional)
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add thinly sliced bell pepper and onion, whole garlic cloves, and cherry tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with dried thyme, and arrange fresh basil leaves on top.
Step 2
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the ingredients simmer gently for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. Ensure the vegetables are tender and cooked through.
Step 3
Once the ingredients are thoroughly cooked and soft, use a fork or a potato masher to gently mash them, creating a sauce-like consistency. It’s okay if some texture remains.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to add the heat! Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of Korean chili flakes and mix well with the sauce. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
Step 5
In a separate pot, bring a generous amount of water to a boil with a pinch of salt. Add the tagliatelle pasta and cook for about 5 minutes, or slightly less than the package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Step 6
Add the drained tagliatelle directly to the pan with the prepared tomato sauce. Pour in a little of the reserved pasta water and toss everything together to combine.
Step 7
Continue to toss and stir the pasta with the sauce, adding more pasta water as needed, until the pasta is well-coated and the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Allow the pasta to absorb the flavors.
Step 8
Serve the pasta in a beautiful bowl. Grate fresh Parmesan cheese generously over the top, drizzle with a little extra olive oil for added richness, and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finish. Your delicious spicy tomato pasta is ready!
