If you’re a fan of spicy food, there are endless ways to satisfy your cravings. I often try to use harissa, chili crisp, or red pepper flakes, but Calabrian chili spicy pasta sauce is special. Its distinct flavor is sweet-tart and fruity with a rapid shift to oily heat (solid heat). With just a spoonful or two, you can transform, switch up your pasta night, and add a little spice (literally) to your plate! This creamy, 30-minute dinner recipe is filling and satisfying!
Calabrian chili spicy pasta sauce Is a Flavor Bomb!
Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce combines tasty tomato sauce with a little kick of Calabrian Chilis. It is perfectly balanced with honey, which makes it slightly sweet, and the chilis give it a bright red color. It’s a thick and creamy sauce that manages its creamy texture without using actual cream and coats well with all kinds of pasta. Calabrian Chili Spicy sauce pairs well with pappardelle, rigatoni, and spinach tortellini. It’s a perfect dip for breaded mozzarella cheese sticks and enhances the delicious flavor when spread on the pizza crust.
What Are Calabrian Peppers?
Calabrian chiles are chili peppers from the Italian southwest region of Calabria. These are known for their red, bright color. These chilies have a robust flavor that combines fruity, smoky, spicy notes and tangy heat with a decent, moderate heat rather than sharp. They are primarily available in various forms, including crushed flakes, dried chilies, and chili oil that’s become infused. These chilies have staple status in Calabrian and Italian cuisine to add warmth and flavor to pasta, pizza, and sauces. For this recipe, I am using Calabrian chili paste.
Where Can I Buy Calabrian Chili Paste?
You can find them near big grocery stores, food markets, or international markets. If you can’t see them nearby, you can order them online at a reasonable price with your favorite brand on Amazon.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Dried pasta—I am using whole wheat ridged tubular cut pasta for this recipe. You can use any pasta, but I recommend choosing a short shape like penne, ziti, or rigatoni.
- Olive oil—Select high-quality olive oil for best results. Olive oil is used to sautéing the ingredients, adding richness to the dish.
- Onion—The minced onion and garlic combination creates a sweet and savory flavor base for the sauce, balancing the heat from the Calabrian peppers. Don’t hesitate to use shallots as a substitute.
- Calabrian peppers paste – This Calabrian chili spicy pasta sauce gets the dish’s signature heat with a little fruity flavor. This pepper paste is available at most major grocery stores or can be ordered online. I like the Divina brand, which you can order on Amazon. Tutto Calabria, Delallo, or Trader Joe’s Bomba Sauce are recommended. But keep in mind the heat levels in different brands vary, so start small and adjust as needed. Use simple red chili flakes as a substitute if you can’t find this condiment.
- Tomato paste—Tomato paste enhances the taste of Calabrian peppers’ whisper of sweetness and helps to thicken the sauce.
How to Make Spicy Calabrian Chili Pasta
Step 1: Add the olive oil, chopped onions, and minced garlic to a large skillet and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Start with cold pa; it prevents aromatics from burning through a slower caramelization process!
Step 2: Add tomato paste and Calabrian peppers to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until the tomato paste is evenly coated and the oil turns redish.
Step 3: Meanwhile, cook whole wheat ridged tubular cut pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, keeping it slightly firm—reserve 1 cup of pasta water for future use (if needed).
Step 4: Add ¼ cups of saved pasta water to the sauce and mix well. Now add the cooked pasta. You can add additional pasta and water if needed.
Step 5: Toss gently until the whole pasta turns glossy and well combined. Now, taste and adjust the condiments.
Ta Da Dah! Spicy Calabrian Chili Pasta is ready and served hot with grated parmesan on top.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold, Layered Flavor: Fruity Calabrian chilies, slightly caramelized onions, garlic, and tomato paste combine to create an incredible combination of spicy tomato chili jam for a sauce.
- Customizable Heat: The spice level is flexible. You can adjust it up or down based on your taste preference and use pantry swaps if needed.
- Low Effort, High Reward: This is a great go-to meal because it requires minimal prep and a lot of inactive time.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Pasta
- Keep the cooled pasta in an airtight container in the fridge. Saving a little of the cooked pasta water will help with reheating.
- To reheat pasta on the stove, warm the pasta in a pan with a splash of the saved starchy water, ensuring even heating.
- For the microwave, put the pasta in a microwave-safe dish, add a bit of the pasta water, and heat in short intervals. Remember to cover it and stir in between.
Pro Tip:
- Always add pasta water when reheating, which will help keep the pasta texture soft and prevent it from drying.
What to Serve with Calabrian Chili Pasta
Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta sauce has a lot of heat. To cool down the spice, garlic bread or a green salad are great options to pair with it. To balance it out with something creamy, try Baked Goat Cheese Pasta or serve it with Herbed Cream Cheese Spread. For extra protein, you can add Italian sausage, grilled chicken, or shrimp. For a plant-based creamy side dish, try this 4-ingredient pasta salad!
Try a glass of red or white wine or sparkling water with lemon to enjoy and keep things fresh.
Try my Swiss Cheese Pasta, Marinara Sauce For Spaghetti, Cajun Sausage Pasta, or Pasta Recipes With Pesto And Tomato
Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce Recipe FAQs
How spicy is Calabrian Chili?
Calabrian Chili is considered medium to hot in terms of spiciness. On the Scoville scale, the heat level of this Italian pepper ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 (SHU), which is about 10 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper.
What is a substitute for Calabrian Chili?
Crushed red pepper flakes with olive oil can easily be substituted with Calabrian chili paste. Other good options that give a similar spicy kick are sriracha hot sauce, habanero, jalapeño, or sambal oelek.
Is Calabrian Chili sweet?
If you’re wondering, “What does it taste like?” Calabrian chilis are more than just chili peppers! Along with their heat, the Calabrian Chili has a smoky, sweet warmth and a fruity flavor. The natural sweetness balances the spice, giving it a rich, tangy, and smoky taste.
How do you store Calabrian Chili?
Refrigeration: Calabrian chili spicy pasta sauce should be stored in the refrigerator. Please keep it in zipper bags or a sealed jar; it will stay fresh for a week. Freezing: Freezing is an excellent option if you want it to last several weeks to a few months.
What to make with Calabrian chili paste?
Here are some tasty ideas:
Spicy pasta sauces
Spicy Calabrian Shrimp.
Italian Chicken and Rice.
Spicy Lamb Bolognese.
Penne with Corn and Spicy Sausage.
Final Notes
Spicy Calabrian Chili Pasta Sauce adds a nice kick to your pasta. This delicious twist on a classic tomato sauce makes your meal extra special. Calabrian Chili turns simple pasta extra special with a perfect mix of heat, sweetness, and a hint of smokiness. You can toss it with your favorite noodles, on pizza, or even with veggies for a delicious and spicy twist.
Please drop a comment and let me know how yours turns out!
Keep following Pastasphere for more exciting recipes! Happy cooking!
