Spicy Calabrian Chili Pasta (Printer-friendly)

Bold pasta tossed in fiery Calabrian chili oil, garlic, anchovy, and fresh parsley for a vibrant taste.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 14.1 oz bucatini pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
03 - 3 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste
04 - 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
05 - 6 anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
06 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Finish

09 - 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
11 - 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bucatini according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and anchovies, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and anchovies have dissolved.
03 - Stir in Calabrian chili paste and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing flavors to infuse the oil.
04 - Add drained bucatini to the skillet, tossing to coat in chili oil. If needed, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until sauce clings to pasta.
05 - Season with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat and mix in chopped parsley and lemon zest.
06 - Transfer to serving plates immediately, topped with grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Bold, authentic Southern Italian heat in every bite.
  • Ready in just 25 minutes using simple pantry staples.
  • A perfect balance of spicy, savory, and citrusy notes.
  • Easily customizable for vegetarians or varying heat tolerances.
02 -
  • Use a grater to get fine zest from the lemon for even distribution.
  • Check the labels of your chili paste and cheese for potential allergens if managing dietary restrictions.
  • Add the pasta water in small splashes to avoid making the sauce too thin.
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