Description
Spicy Shallot Pasta is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that features tender shallots sautéed with garlic, red pepper flakes, and fresh thyme, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti. Finished with a touch of fresh parsley and optional grated Parmesan, this pasta delivers a delightful balance of spice and aromatic herbs for a quick weeknight meal bursting with incredible flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces of spaghetti or your favorite pasta
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 medium shallots, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup vegetable broth or pasta water
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about half a cup of the pasta water, then set the pasta aside.
- Heat the Olive Oil: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté the Shallots: Add the thinly sliced shallots to the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become soft and translucent, which develops their natural sweetness.
- Add Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute. Be careful not to let the garlic burn as it can turn bitter.
- Season and Deglaze: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and thyme over the mixture. Pour in the vegetable broth or reserved pasta water to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom to enhance the sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing thoroughly to coat the noodles with the spicy shallot mixture. If the pasta appears dry, add more pasta water gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
- Finish with Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning or add extra red pepper flakes for more heat according to your preference.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; it helps to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes depending on your spice tolerance.
- Fresh thyme is preferred for its bright flavor, but dried thyme works as a substitute.
- Parmesan cheese adds richness but it’s optional, and can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or crusty bread.
