Garlic Chilli Spaghetti Delight: A Zesty Family Recipe

Garlic chilli spaghetti tantalizes taste buds with its fiery kick and aromatic allure.

Bold flavors dance across the palate, revolutionizeing a simple pasta dish into a culinary adventure.

Mediterranean influences shine through this vibrant recipe that balances heat and richness seamlessly.

Spicy undertones create a delightful complexity that awakens every sense with each twirling forkful.

Intense seasonings elevate this classic comfort food beyond ordinary expectations, promising a memorable dining experience.

Home cooks can easily master this quick and satisfying meal that speaks to passionate food lovers.

Skillful combinations of ingredients guarantee a restaurant-quality dish without complicated techniques or lengthy preparation.

Why Garlic Chilli Spaghetti Is a Bold Choice

• Savor Bold, Layered Flavor Explosion: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a taste adventure, blending toasted black peppercorns, golden garlic, and Kashmiri chilli powder for a vibrant, complex flavor profile that dances on your palate.
• Master Quick Restaurant-Style Technique: Learn professional cooking methods like toasting spices, creating smooth butter-based sauces, and achieving perfect al dente pasta texture, all achievable within 20 minutes for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results.
• Enjoy Customizable Spice Adventure: Easily adjust heat levels by controlling chilli quantities, making this dish versatile for different spice tolerances while maintaining a consistent, delicious base that suits multiple taste preferences.
• Celebrate Minimal Ingredient Magic: Elevate everyday pantry staples into an impressive meal using just a few high-quality ingredients, proving gourmet cooking doesn't require complicated shopping lists or extensive preparation time.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Garlic Chilli Spaghetti

• Spaghetti or Bucatini: Classic pasta options that hold sauce beautifully with their long, cylindrical shape.

• Black Peppercorns: Whole spice that provides robust, warm flavor when toasted and coarsely ground.
• Kashmiri Chilli Powder: Mild red spice that adds deep color and subtle heat without overwhelming spiciness.
• Fresh Chillies: Fresh peppers that contribute immediate, vibrant heat to the dish.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that creates a rich, aromatic base for the sauce.
• Shallots: Delicate onion variety that offers a subtle, sweet undertone to the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds fresh, green notes and visual appeal at the end.

• Butter: Rich dairy component that creates smooth, luxurious sauce texture.
• Pecorino Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that helps create creamy sauce emulsion and adds depth of flavor.

Cooking Garlic Chilli Spaghetti in Easy Steps

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Boil spaghetti or bucatini in salted water for 1 minute less than package instructions to achieve perfect al dente texture. Reserve some pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Toast and Grind Peppercorns

Heat a dry pan over low flame and toast black peppercorns until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Grind coarsely using a pestle and mortar, keeping some larger bits for extra crunch.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Crushed black peppercorns
• Diced shallots
• Minced garlic
• Chopped chillies

Sauté over medium heat until shallots turn translucent and garlic turns golden.

Step 4: Enhance with Chili Powder

Reduce heat to low and sprinkle Kashmiri chilli powder into the butter. Stir gently to release flavors without burning.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Turn off heat and add a generous ladle of starchy pasta water to the pan. Toss drained pasta directly into the sauce, mixing thoroughly to coat every strand.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Stir in grated pecorino cheese, mixing vigorously to create a creamy emulsion. Adjust sauce consistency with extra pasta water or cheese if needed. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve immediately for maximum flavor explosion.

Tips for a Balanced Spicy Garlic Spaghetti

• Pasta Precision: Cook spaghetti one minute less than package instructions to achieve the perfect al dente texture that holds sauce beautifully.
• Pepper Perfection: Toast black peppercorns gently in a dry pan to release their intense, aromatic flavors before grinding, keeping some larger pieces for delightful texture.
• Garlic Golden Rule: Sauté garlic over medium heat until it turns a light golden color, avoiding burning which can create a bitter taste.
• Cheese Emulsion Trick: Stir pecorino vigorously to create a silky smooth sauce, using pasta water to help bind ingredients and create a creamy consistency.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Add chopped parsley at the very end to preserve its bright color and fresh flavor, giving the dish a vibrant finishing touch.

How to Handle Garlic Spaghetti Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled spaghetti to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Reheating Method: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra butter to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir continuously to distribute heat evenly and recreate the creamy sauce texture.
• Freezing Option: While possible, pasta with dairy-based sauces can separate when frozen. If freezing, consume within one month and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating carefully to preserve the original taste and consistency.

What Complements Garlic Chilli Spaghetti Best

• Sip Spicy Italian Red Wine: Pair this fiery spaghetti with a bold Chianti or Primitivo that can stand up to the intense garlic and chilli flavors, complementing the dish's robust profile.
• Elevate with Cool Herbal Tzatziki: Balance the heat with a refreshing Greek yogurt-based tzatziki side, whose cucumber and herb notes will provide a cooling contrast to the spicy pasta.
• Crunch with Crispy Garlic Bread: Serve alongside toasted garlic bread to absorb the delicious sauce and add textural variety, creating a complete and satisfying meal experience.
• Refresh with Citrus Spritzer: Prepare a light lemon or lime sparkling water to cut through the richness of the butter and cheese, cleansing the palate between spicy bites.

Flavorful Variations on Garlic Chilli Pasta

• Spicy Mediterranean Pasta: Replace Kashmiri chilli powder with sun-dried tomato paste and add oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile. Incorporate crumbled feta cheese instead of pecorino to enhance the regional taste.
• Creamy Chilli Herb Spaghetti: Introduce cream cheese or heavy cream to create a richer sauce. Blend in fresh basil and thyme alongside the parsley for a more complex herb combination. Use green chillies for a milder heat level.
• Seafood Garlic Chilli Pasta: Fold in sautéed shrimp or calamari during the final mixing stage. Swap butter with olive oil for a lighter base. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and fresh lemon zest to brighten the seafood elements.
• Vegetarian Protein Pasta: Add roasted pine nuts and sautéed mushrooms for extra texture and protein. Use nutritional yeast instead of cheese to maintain a dairy-free option. Incorporate smoked paprika for depth of flavor.

Garlic Chilli Spaghetti Delight Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Spicy Garlic Chilli Spaghetti delivers Italian-inspired comfort with a fiery kick. Pasta lovers will savor rich garlic notes and chilli heat dancing through al dente strands, creating a quick, irresistible dinner experience you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 250 grams (8.8 ounces) dried spaghetti or bucatini
• 2 red bird’s eye chillies, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) salted butter
• 70 grams (2.5 ounces) pecorino romano, very finely grated

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons Kashmiri chilli powder

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 1 shallot, diced
• 1 handful of parsley, roughly chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook spaghetti or bucatini for one minute less than package instructions, ensuring a perfect al dente consistency (about 8-9 minutes).
2. Using a dry skillet, gently toast whole black peppercorns over low heat until their aromatic oils release, approximately 1-2 minutes. Crush coarsely with a mortar and pestle, maintaining some larger fragments for added texture.
3. In a wide pan, melt unsalted butter (56 grams or ) over low heat. Add ground peppercorns, finely diced shallots, minced garlic, and sliced chillies, sautéing on medium heat until shallots become translucent and garlic develops a golden hue.
4. Reduce heat to low and incorporate Kashmiri chilli powder, stirring carefully to prevent burning and allow the spice to bloom and release its deep, complex flavors.
5. Remove pan from heat and introduce a ladleful of starchy pasta water, creating a silky base for the sauce. Add drained pasta directly into the pan, tossing thoroughly to coat each strand.
6. Vigorously fold in freshly grated pecorino cheese, creating a luxurious emulsion with the pasta water and melted butter. Adjust sauce consistency by adding more pasta water or cheese as needed.
7. Finish the dish by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley and serving immediately, ensuring maximum flavor and temperature.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection Matters: Cook spaghetti one minute less than package instructions to achieve the ideal al dente texture that holds sauce beautifully.
• Spice Toasting Trick: Gently toast black peppercorns in a dry pan to unlock their deeper, more intense aromatic qualities before grinding.
• Flavor Building Technique: Sauté shallots, garlic, and chillies in butter until shallots turn translucent and garlic becomes golden, creating a robust flavor base.
• Chilli Powder Wisdom: Add Kashmiri chilli powder off direct heat to prevent burning and maximize its rich, vibrant color and mild heat.
• Sauce Emulsion Secret: Use starchy pasta water to create a silky, creamy sauce that perfectly coats each strand of spaghetti.
• Final Touch Magic: Stir in fresh parsley and pecorino cheese vigorously to create a smooth, glossy finish that elevates the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: Fusion

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg