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Calabrian Chili Pasta with Burrata and Basil Recipe

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4.4 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Eliza
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

This Calabrian Chili Pasta is a creamy, mildly spicy pasta dish featuring a rich blend of Calabrian chili peppers, tomato paste, and heavy cream. Enhanced with garlic, shallots, fresh basil, and optional Parmesan cheese, it's a perfect balance of heat and creaminess served with burrata cheese on top for an indulgent finish. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner with a delightful kick.

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2-4 tablespoons crushed Calabrian chilies (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely sliced

Pasta

  • 16 ounces short pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

To Serve

  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Burrata cheese
  • Extra Calabrian chilies (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Sauté shallots and garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallots and garlic, cooking until they become soft and aromatic, approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Add Calabrian chilies and tomato paste: Stir in the crushed Calabrian chilies and tomato paste until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
  3. Incorporate heavy cream: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream until fully combined with the chili-tomato base. Reduce the heat to low and stir occasionally, cooking until the sauce begins to simmer and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  4. Finish the sauce: Stir in the parmesan cheese (if using) and finely sliced fresh basil to enhance flavor and texture.
  5. Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the short pasta in heavily salted boiling water according to package instructions, but reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes for perfect al dente texture.
  6. Reserve pasta water and drain: Before draining the pasta, scoop out about 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Then drain the pasta without rinsing to preserve starch for sauce adhesion.
  7. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the al dente pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens further and coats the noodles evenly.
  8. Adjust seasoning: Since the pasta water contains salt, wait until after combining pasta and sauce to taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Serve and garnish: Serve immediately, topping each portion with creamy burrata cheese and an extra drizzle of Calabrian chilies if desired. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finish.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of Calabrian chilies based on your heat preference; start with less if you prefer mild spice.
  • If you do not have burrata cheese, fresh mozzarella or ricotta can be used as alternatives.
  • Be careful not to overcook the pasta; al dente is key for the best texture in this dish.
  • The reserved pasta water helps to bind the sauce to the pasta, giving a silky texture.
  • Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice umami depth to the sauce.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://recipekind.com/calabrian-chili-pasta-with-burrata-and-basil-recipe/