Name: Mi Amor Spicy Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1/3 cup Olive Oil; 8 Garlic Cloves (minced); 1/4 cup Tomato Paste; 1 Tablespoon Crushed Calabrian Chilies; 2 teaspoons Red Chili Flakes; 2 (28-ounce) cans Whole Tomatoes; 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons Salt (add more to taste); 8 Fresh Basil Leaves (cut into ribbons or chopped); 1 to 1 1/2 pounds Pasta (of choice); Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (for topping, freshly grated)

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Introduction

Mi Amor Spicy Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the heat of Calabrian chilies with the richness of garlic and tomato. It’s a comforting meal with a perfect balance of spice and savory, ideal for anyone who loves a bit of a kick in their pasta.

A white bowl filled with soft, flat pasta noodles coated in thick, bright red tomato sauce, sitting on a wooden board. The pasta is topped with a few large, fresh green basil leaves placed on one side. In the background, there is a smaller white bowl containing chunky red sauce, and the whole setting is on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth partially visible in the corner. The textures show the smooth sauce covering the pasta and the slight gloss on the noodles from the sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/3 cup Olive Oil
8 Garlic Cloves (minced)
1/4 cup Tomato Paste
1 Tablespoon Crushed Calabrian Chilies
2 teaspoons Red Chili Flakes
2 (28-ounce) cans Whole Tomatoes
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons Salt (add more to taste)
8 Fresh Basil Leaves (cut into ribbons or chopped)
1 to 1 1/2 lb Pasta (of choice)
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Place a large, heavy sauce pot over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and minced garlic. Cook slowly for 1 minute, being careful not to brown the garlic.
Step 2: Add the tomato paste, crushed Calabrian chilies, red chili flakes, and salt to the pot. Crush the whole canned tomatoes by hand or puree them with a blender until smooth. Add the tomatoes to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Step 3: Cook the pasta according to package instructions and drain. Reserve some pasta water in case you want to thin the sauce.
Step 4: Stir fresh basil into the sauce. Toss the cooked pasta with the spicy tomato sauce. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Tips & Variations

Use pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, making it creamier or thinner as you like.
For extra heat, add more red chili flakes or finish with a drizzle of chili oil.
Fresh herbs like oregano or parsley can be added for additional flavor.
Substitute Calabrian chilies with other chili paste if unavailable, but it will alter the flavor profile.

Storage

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Pasta is best kept separate to avoid sogginess. Reheat sauce gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much. Reheat pasta in boiling water for a minute or in the microwave.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a generous pile of flat pasta noodles drenched in a bright red tomato sauce with a slightly chunky texture. The noodles are thick and glossy, mixing with the sauce that covers most of the plate’s surface. Three fresh, large green basil leaves rest on top of the noodles toward the back edge of the plate, adding a pop of color. There are small bits of grated cheese sprinkled lightly around the noodles near the basil leaves. A silver fork is partly buried in the noodles on the right side. The setting is on a white marbled surface with a hint of a wooden board and light cloth visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be made a day or two in advance. It often tastes better the next day as the flavors develop further.

What pasta shape works best for this sauce?

This spicy tomato sauce pairs well with sturdy pasta shapes like rigatoni, penne, or spaghetti that hold the sauce well.