Description

This Spicy Shallot Pasta recipe is a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. With perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a savory sauce made from caramelized shallots, garlic, red chili flakes, and fresh cherry tomatoes, it’s a delightful combination of spicy and aromatic flavors. Garnished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese, this pasta offers a comforting and satisfying meal that can be ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz spaghetti or any pasta of your choice

Sauce

3 large shallots, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup vegetable broth or pasta cooking water
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente, which takes about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water for later use.
Sauté Shallots: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and slightly caramelized, roughly 5-7 minutes.
Add Garlic and Chili Flakes: Stir in the minced garlic and red chili flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes more until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic.
Cook Cherry Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and sauté until they soften and release their juices, about 3-4 minutes.
Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet. Pour in the reserved pasta water or vegetable broth to create a smooth sauce. Toss everything thoroughly to combine all flavors well.
Season: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, stirring to distribute the seasoning evenly.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Serve the pasta hot, optionally drizzled with a little extra olive oil for added richness.

Notes

Adjust the red chili flakes quantity according to your spice tolerance.
Using pasta cooking water helps to bind the sauce and pasta for better texture.
Parmesan cheese adds a salty, umami flavor but can be omitted for a vegetarian or dairy-free version.
Make sure not to burn the garlic when sautéing to avoid bitterness.
Fresh parsley brightens the dish and adds a refreshing color contrast.