Calabrian Chili Pasta is an Italian pasta dish that features bold and spicy Calabrian chili peppers simmered in a rich, tomato cream sauce. This decadent pasta can be on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal!
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The Best Calabrian Chili Pasta
Once you discover the magic of Calabrian chiles, you will never go back! These spicy and smoky Italian chili peppers go amazingly with a creamy tomato sauce and some al dente pasta to make an easy vegetarian pasta dish in no time.
You can find Calabrian chiles at most grocery stores in a jar. They will definitely be at specialty stores like Whole Foods, or you can opt to order them online. They are worth the investment, because I guarantee you are going to love this pasta dish as your new go-to easy dinner recipe!
Ingredients Needed
- Olive Oil: Use a high quality cooking olive oil!
- Onion: For added flavor and aroma.
- Garlic: This recipe is heavy on the garlic because it adds so much flavor! Trust me, you won’t regret it.
- Calabrian Chiles: You can buy jarred Calabrian chiles at the store! Chop them up into small pieces before adding them to the sauce.
- Tomato Paste: This is a tomato based sauce and tomato paste is the easiest way to get a deep, tomato flavor!
- Ziti Pasta: Or any of your favorite tube-shaped pasta. You can use penne, rigatoni, or even cavatappi!
- Heavy Cream & Milk: A combination of heavy cream and milk are added to the sauce to make it super creamy. If you add only heavy cream, the sauce might be too thick!
- Parmesan Cheese: Garnish the final Calabrian chili pasta dish with grated parmesan.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For a bit of extra spice, you can garnish with crushed red pepper flakes as well.
- Chopped Herbs: I like to top mine off with freshly chopped parsley or basil, or even both!
How to Make This CALABRIAN chili pasta
- Boil Pasta: Cook pasta until al-dente in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a large skillet. Add in onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until they start to get some color on them. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add Tomato & Peppers: Add in tomato paste and peppers and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to cook the tomato paste a bit.
- Add Liquid: Stir in the heavy cream and milk and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in Pasta: Remove from the heat and add in the cooked pasta. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce. Serve immediately with parmesan cheese, parsley and crust red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Add some lemon zest! To brighten things up, add a bit of lemon zest to the sauce. Don’t add the juice though, as that might curdle the sauce.
- If you are sensitive to spice, add just one or two chili peppers into the pasta sauce, then taste to see if you want to add another or not! I would say these are about medium-spicy, but everyone has their own interpretation of spicy food. You can also omit the red pepper flakes!
- Throw in some veggies! This pasta sauce is versatile and can be made with some added veggies if you prefer. Go for ones that go well in a spicy, creamy sauce. Something like spinach or kale, mushrooms or red bell peppers!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Calabrian chiles?
Calabrian chiles are a spicy and smoky pepper, originating from the region of Calabria in Italy. They are only slightly spicy, but add a tangy, spicy and smoky flavor to whatever you add them to!
How should I serve Calabrian chili pasta?
This pasta with Calabrian peppers can be served on its own or with a few side dishes for a more well-rounded meal. Feel free top it off with grilled chicken or your favorite protein. I recommend serving it with garlic bread or garlic knots and a salad like panzanella salad, too!
What do I do with pasta leftovers?
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days! You can reheat the pasta in the microwave until heated through. If you notice that the pasta has absorbed the sauce, toss it in a skillet with a dash of extra heavy cream to loosen up the sauce.
More Pasta Recipes to Try
- Pasta with Vodka Sauce
- Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
- Vegetarian Lasagna
- Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake
- Chicken Shrimp Alfredo
Calabrian Chili Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Calabrian chiles
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 8 ounces ziti pasta, uncooked
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- parmesan cheese, for serving
- crushed red pepper flakes, for serving
- chopped parsley or basil, for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al-dente in salted water according to package instructions.Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet.Add in onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until they start to get some color on them. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add in tomato paste and peppers and cook for 1-2 minutes stirring to cook the tomato paste a bit.
- Stir in the heavy cream and milk and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add in the cooked pasta. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce.Serve immediately with parmesan cheese, parsley and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Did you make this?
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Angela
Made this for dinner last night and it was a huge hit! Full of flavor and loved the heat. Definitely on meal rotation for me!
Kelley Simmons
Yah I am so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing Angela!