Blistering Tomato Pasta

A easy, quick, and delicious red sauce that anyone (and I mean anyone) can make. This spicy blistering tomato marinara celebrates the beautiful flavor of tomatoes.

Hands down this spicy blistering tomato pasta is one of my favorite sauces, and that says a lot considering I popped out a lot of pasta sauces in the past month. It is so fresh, so simple, and ready in under 30 minutes. This one was made especially for my spicy lovers out there. For those who can’t handle the heat? Don’t worry, there is an option to remove the chili flakes making this still a super flavorful everyday pasta sauce.

WHAT ARE BLISTERING TOMATOES?

Have you ever cooked cherry tomatoes until they pop open? That’s what blistering tomatoes are, small cherry tomatoes that are either oven roasted or pan fried until they burst open. By cooking tomatoes this way, they become sweet and savory, a perfect element to elevate a dish. In this case the juices from the tomatoes are the base of this sauce. While there are a few methods of cooking blistering tomatoes, these tips will remain the same.

• Do not overcrowd the pan
• Cook on medium heat – especially if you are cooking them with aromatics. The last thing you want is to have beautiful tomatoes but burn the garlic.
• The less touching the better – Sure mix your tomatoes with garlic or basil, but then don’t touch them. Let them start to cook for a few minutes before you stir them again, or even better just give the pan a shake if you can to shift them.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR SPICY BLISTERING TOMATO PASTA

• Spaghetti – Always players choice, however this sauce is a dream on spaghetti.
• Cherry Tomatoes – Any small tomato variety works. Can’t find cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes work just as well. If you are making this off season (April-end of summer here in the US) then you might just have to go with grape tomatoes.
• Garlic – Fresh only!
• Shallot
• Chili Flakes
• Basil – Fresh only!
• Parsley
• Tomato Paste
• Pasta Water– Yes this dish depends on that salty starchy pasta water, so don’t drain all of it. Right before straining your pasta grab 1 cup of the pasta water for the sauce. You won’t need the full cup, but always best to have more than you need.
• Ricotta – the cool creamy ricotta against the spicy pasta is a dream. Trust me on this. If opting for store bough instead of farm fresh give your ricotta a little pinch of salt to bring out the flavor.

HOW TO MAKE SPICY BLISTERING TOMATO PASTA

Cook the Pasta – Cook pasta as per instructions in salty water. Right before you drain, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. You will only use 1/3- 1/2 cup, but always better to have more. Drain when complete, and put on the side.

Blister the Tomatoes – Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil up in a pan or deep pot on medium-low heat. Once warm add garlic, shallots, salt, and chili flakes. Cook garlic and shallots for 5 minutes until garlic is fragrant and shallots are almost translucent. If the garlic begins to burn the heat is too hight, lower it. Add the cherry tomatoes and give it a stir. Top off with the additional 1 tbsp of olive oil. Raise the heat slightly. Cook covered for 5-7 minutes, giving the pan a shake every few minutes.

Build the Sauce – Add tomato paste, basil, and parsley and stir to combine. Add pasta water and allow sauce to reduce for 5-7 minutes, or until desired consistency. Add your pasta, simmer for 1-2 minutes and toss to complete.

A FEW QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

Can I make this not spicy? Absolutely! I get it spicy isn’t for everyone, just remove the flakes.

Can I make this sauce in advance? Yes, this is a great sauce to make in advance, whether you are making the amount the recipe lays out or 2x or 3x the recipe. If making in advance, do not toss in the pasta. Instead let it come down to room temp then store in an airtight container for no more than 5-6 days.

STORING/REHEATING

As mentioned above this is a great recipe to make ahead of time. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. When ready to heat pop it on the stove and fold in your pasta.

Want other easy pasta dishes? Check out Spicy Caper Pasta, and Spicy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta.