This Spicy Tomato Pasta is a quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. The sauce is a beautiful rich tomato-based sauce with a spicy kick thanks to the red chilis. But you can adapt the spice level to taste. With very few ingredients, you can have this spicy tomato pasta on the table in under 20 minutes. Add some bread and a side salad, and you have a quick and easy dinner.
Place the butter/olive oil in a cold frying pan, and add in the fresh herbs and breadcrumbs. 2 tablespoon butter/olive oil¼ cup/ 30g chunky breadcrumb/panko1 tablespoon fresh oregano/parsley
Stir the mixture well and cook until the breadcrumbs are crispy and golden.
Season generously with salt and pepper, and then immediately tip the pangrattato mixture into a small bowl to stop it from browning any further. salt black pepper
To make the pasta
Once the water has come to a boil, add the salt and pasta. Stir to submerge the spaghetti and then cook for 1 minute less than the packet suggests. (Set your timer)1 tablespoon salt12 oz/ 340g pasta
While the pasta is cooking, pour the olive oil into a cold large frying pan and add the sliced garlic; cook over medium heat until the garlic starts to just sizzle.¼ cup/ 60ml olive oil6 cloves garlic - sliced
Add in the chopped red chili and the tomato halves. Turn the heat to medium-high and add the crushed tomatoes once sizzling.1-2 red chilies - sliced1 cup cherry tomatoes - halved½ cup crushed tomatoes or passata
Bring to a simmer for 2 minutes, then turn the heat low until the pasta is cooked.
Reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
Add the pasta to the frying pan and ½ cup of pasta water. Use tongs to turn and coat the pasta in the sauce. Add the fresh spinach and turn to wilt it in the sauce. 1 cup fresh spinach - packed
Add more water as needed.
Check the seasoning, and serve garnished with the pangrattato and parmesan if desired.
Notes
You can replace the chopped red chili with red pepper flakes or chilli flakes. Add to taste (1 teaspoon is about the same as 1 hot chili)
You can replace the fresh herbs with 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.