Spicy Symphony: Homemade Chili Oil Pasta Recipe For Dinner

Silky noodles dancing with homemade chili oil pasta recipe burst with bold, fiery flavors that awaken every taste bud.

Spicy and rich, this dish brings restaurant-quality excitement to your kitchen in mere minutes.

Comfort meets heat in a plate that promises pure culinary satisfaction.

Each twirl of pasta coats your fork with intense, vibrant seasonings that sing with deep complexity.

The secret lies in crafting a chili oil that balances warmth and depth, turning simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

You’ll find this recipe irresistibly addictive, with layers of flavor that keep you coming back for more.

Let’s find out this irresistible pasta experience and transform your dinner tonight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients to Prepare Chili Oil Pasta

• Rigatoni Pasta or Penne: Choose pasta with ridges to help sauce cling better, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.

• Butter, Oil: Provides rich base and helps create silky smooth sauce texture.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic punch and creates foundational flavor profile.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies umami and adds depth with concentrated tomato essence.
• Chili Oil Sediments: Introduces spicy kick and complex layered heat to the dish.
• Salt, Sugar, Paprika: Balances flavors, creates depth and rounds out overall taste experience.

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety sauce that coats pasta perfectly.
• Pasta Water: Helps bind sauce, adds starchy richness and adjusts consistency.
• Dried/Fresh Basil: Brings fresh herbaceous note and aromatic brightness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty finish and enhances overall savory character.

Pasta Tools for This Spicy Dish

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly with enough space to stir.
• Skillet: Crucial for creating the creamy chili oil sauce and combining ingredients smoothly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing pasta without scratching pan.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking, ensuring no excess water remains.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring pasta water and cream quantities.
• Knife and Cutting Board: Required for mincing fresh garlic and preparing ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan cheese as a final garnish.

Making Creamy Chili Oil Pasta from Scratch

• Pasta Preparation

Boil water and cook pasta until perfectly tender, saving a splash of the starchy cooking liquid for later magic.

• Flavor Foundation

Warm a skillet and gently melt butter with oil, allowing minced garlic to dance and release its aromatic charm.

• Spicy Transformation

Introduce tomato paste and chili oil, creating a vibrant base that tingles with excitement.

• Creamy Embrace

Pour in silky heavy cream, stirring until the sauce transforms into a luxurious blanket of deliciousness.

• Herbal Whispers

Sprinkle in fresh basil and seasonings, letting the sauce simmer and develop deep, complex flavors.

• Final Fusion

Combine the pasta with the luscious sauce, using the reserved cooking water to help everything mingle perfectly.

• Stunning Serve

Plate the pasta and crown it with a generous snowfall of Parmesan cheese, ready to delight taste buds with every twirling bite.

Tips to Adjust Spice in Chili Oil Pasta

• Adjust chili oil intensity by adding more or less, tailoring heat levels to personal preference without overwhelming the creamy sauce.
• Reserved starchy liquid helps create silky, clingy sauce that perfectly embraces each pasta strand, enhancing overall texture and flavor depth.
• Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt for lighter version, or swap basil with fresh parsley for different herbaceous notes that complement the spicy base.
• Prepare sauce in advance and store separately from pasta, allowing flavors to meld and simplifying weeknight dinner preparations for busy home cooks.
• Easily transform dish by adding grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy pancetta for a protein-packed meal that elevates the creamy chili oil pasta experience.

Serving Options for Chili Oil Pasta

• Flavor Fusion Plate: Complement the creamy chili pasta with a crisp arugula salad tossed in light lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, spicy flavors.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the dish with grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or crispy pancetta for an extra protein punch that elevates the meal's heartiness.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, basil, or chives to add a bright, aromatic touch that cuts through the creamy sauce and enhances overall taste complexity.
• Bread Companion: Serve alongside garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices to soak up the delicious chili oil cream sauce, creating a complete and satisfying dining experience.

Storing and Reheating Creamy Chili Pasta

• Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to maintain quality and prevent moisture buildup.
• Reheating Magic: Revive cold pasta by adding a splash of pasta water or cream when warming in a skillet. Stir gently over medium-low heat to restore creamy texture and prevent sauce separation.
• Flavor Enhancement Trick: Store chili oil separately in a sealed glass jar at room temperature. This prevents the pasta from becoming soggy and allows you to control spice intensity when reheating.
• Freezing Strategy: While cream-based sauces can be tricky to freeze, you can store this pasta for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat slowly, stirring frequently to restore smooth consistency.

Spicy Chili Oil Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade chili oil pasta delivers a spicy culinary adventure from Sichuan province. Fiery noodles combine fragrant sesame oil, crisp garlic, and red pepper flakes for intense flavor you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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• ½ lb (226 g) rigatoni pasta or penne
• 2.5 tbsps butter
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream or heavy cream
• 6 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2.5 tbsps chili oil (just the sediments)
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tbsp oil
• ¼ cup pasta water
• ½ tsp salt (adjust accordingly)
• ½ tsp sugar
• ½ tsp paprika (optional)
• 2 tsps dried/fresh basil (optional)
• Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente, carefully reserving some starchy pasta water before draining.
2. Create Flavor Base: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Sauté finely chopped garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, then mix in tomato paste to develop a rich, deep-colored foundation.
3. Build Sauce: Drizzle chili oil into the skillet, spreading evenly. Pour in heavy cream, whisking continuously to create a smooth, luxurious sauce. Sprinkle dried basil and additional seasonings, allowing the mixture to simmer and slightly thicken.
4. Combine and Finish: Introduce reserved pasta water to the sauce, then add cooked pasta and remaining butter. Toss thoroughly to ensure each pasta strand is generously coated with the creamy, spicy sauce.
5. Serve: Plate the pasta immediately, crowning with a generous dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy while the dish remains hot and aromatically inviting.

Notes

• Preserve Pasta Water: Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, as it helps create a silky, emulsified sauce and prevents dryness.
• Garlic Precision: Finely chop garlic and watch carefully while sautéing to prevent burning, which can introduce bitter flavors to the dish.
• Chili Oil Balance: Adjust chili oil quantity based on personal spice tolerance, starting with small amounts and gradually increasing for desired heat level.
• Cream Whisking Technique: Continuously whisk cream into the sauce to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, luxurious texture that clings perfectly to pasta.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg