Description
This Spicy Tomato Garlic Confit Pasta is a flavorful, comforting dish combining slow-cooked garlic in olive oil with spicy crushed tomatoes and fresh basil. The garlic confit infuses the sauce with a rich, mellow sweetness balanced by red pepper flakes for a gentle heat. Perfectly cooked spaghetti is tossed in this vibrant sauce and finished with optional Parmesan for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Confit
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti or your preferred pasta
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) to prepare for slow-cooking the garlic confit.
- Prepare Garlic Confit: In a small oven-safe dish, combine olive oil, peeled garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes ensuring they are submerged in the oil.
- Cook Garlic Confit: Place the dish in the oven and cook for 1 hour, until the garlic cloves are soft, golden, and infused the oil with flavor.
- Mash Garlic: Carefully remove the garlic cloves from the oil and mash them lightly with a fork to prepare for the sauce.
- Make Tomato Sauce: Heat a saucepan over medium heat, then add the crushed tomatoes along with the mashed garlic and some of the garlic confit oil. Stir to combine.
- Simmer Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. This allows the flavors to meld perfectly.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the tomato garlic sauce, tossing well to coat. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.
- Add Basil and Oil: Stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves and drizzle with some more of the garlic confit oil for added richness and aroma.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired, for a delightful finishing touch.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Use good quality olive oil for the best flavor and health benefits.
- You can substitute spaghetti with any pasta shape you like.
- The garlic confit oil can be saved and used as a flavorful dressing or for cooking other dishes.
- Parmesan is optional but adds a nice salty richness to the dish.
