Ingredients
Scale
- 400g (14 oz) of your favorite pasta (penne, spaghetti, or rigatoni)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 small red chili pepper, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped chili pepper, sauté until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Stir in crushed red pepper flakes and smoked paprika.
- Add cherry tomatoes and black olives, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the tomatoes soften. Optional: add spicy Italian sausage or chorizo slices and cook until browned.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the spicy sauce, tossing to coat each strand thoroughly with flavorful oil and spices.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving for added aroma and presentation.
Notes
- Adjust chili pepper and red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage or chorizo.
- You can add hot sauce for extra heat or sprinkle additional cheese on top.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Fusion, Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian optionally, Spicy
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 520 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 25mg