Spicy Penne Pasta
Spicy Penne Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 2 cups penne pasta
- as needed water, for boiling pasta
- as needed salt, for pasta water
For the Spicy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or red chili powder
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, or as needed
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, or as needed
For Garnish
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, or as needed
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley, or fresh, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional, for extra spice
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the chopped garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, to deepen its flavor. Add the red chili flakes, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper powder, and cayenne pepper (or red chili powder). Mix well to combine with the tomato paste and aromatics.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Pour in the heavy cream and about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir well to create a smooth sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 minutes on medium heat, allowing it to thicken slightly. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter and stir until it has fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
⏱️ 4 min
- 5
Add the cooked penne pasta to the pan with the sauce. Toss well to ensure all the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese until it begins to melt and become gooey. Serve immediately, garnished with dried parsley and an optional sprinkle of additional red chili flakes for extra heat.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Penne Pasta
For the Pasta
- 2 cups penne pasta
- as needed water, for boiling pasta
- as needed salt, for pasta water
For the Spicy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or red chili powder
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, or as needed
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, or as needed
For Garnish
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, or as needed
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley, or fresh, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional, for extra spice
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the chopped garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, to deepen its flavor. Add the red chili flakes, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper powder, and cayenne pepper (or red chili powder). Mix well to combine with the tomato paste and aromatics.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Pour in the heavy cream and about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir well to create a smooth sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 minutes on medium heat, allowing it to thicken slightly. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter and stir until it has fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
⏱️ 4 min - 5
Add the cooked penne pasta to the pan with the sauce. Toss well to ensure all the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese until it begins to melt and become gooey. Serve immediately, garnished with dried parsley and an optional sprinkle of additional red chili flakes for extra heat.
⏱️ 1 min