This dreamy, creamy Spicy Tomato Pasta is the kind of dish that feels special enough for a celebration, yet simple enough for any random Thursday. With its rich, velvety sauce and just the right amount of spice, it’s the perfect romantic dinner that the whole family will love.

If you’re a fan of Penne alla vodka, this one’s for you. It’s lighter, easier to make, and comes together with ingredients you probably already have on hand. The creamy sauce uses full-fat coconut milk, but don’t let that throw you – it’s just a perfectly creamy, savory delight.

😍 Why You’ll Love This Spicy Tomato Pasta

This dish is a dream come true for anyone who loves comfort food with a bit of a kick. It’s creamy, rich, and packed with flavor – everything you want in a pasta. The spicy red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat without overpowering the dish, while the coconut milk (or heavy cream, if you prefer) makes the sauce decadently smooth and luxurious. It’s a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and creamy that’ll have you going back for seconds.

Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special celebration, this pasta feels like a total treat – but it comes together in just 30 minutes – all taste, no hassle. You’re going to love how easy and satisfying this one is!

🗒️ Ingredients

Yellow onion: Adds a sweet, savory foundation to the sauce that makes every bite feel cozy.

Garlic cloves: A fragrant touch that infuses the sauce with irresistible depth.

Parmesan: Freshly grated for that final burst of nutty, creamy flavor that ties everything together.

Extra virgin olive oil: A silky base that adds richness and enhances all the flavors.

Crushed red pepper flakes: The perfect dash of heat to make your tastebuds dance without overwhelming the dish.

Coconut milk or heavy cream: A creamy indulgence that makes the sauce velvety smooth, with a touch of sweetness.

Tomato paste: Packed with deep, concentrated tomato flavor that’s the heart of this sauce.

Fusilli pasta: Twisting and turning, this pasta holds the sauce perfectly in every bite.

Pasta water: A secret weapon to bring everything together, ensuring your sauce is silky and clings to the pasta.

Fresh basil: A fragrant, colorful finish that adds a burst of freshness and a pop of green to your plate.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Spicy Tomato Pasta

🧂 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and get ready to cook your pasta.

🔥 While the water heats up, warm the olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat.

🧅 Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking and stirring for about five minutes until softened and fragrant.

🍅 Stir in the tomato paste and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking until the tomato paste begins to brown and the flavors develop—about 5 minutes.

💧Add a splash of water to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those delicious browned bits.

🥥 in the coconut milk (or heavy cream), stirring until the sauce is perfectly smooth and creamy.

✋Turn off the heat, cover, and set the sauce aside while you cook the pasta.

🫧Add the fusilli to the boiling water, cooking two minutes less than the package directions for al dente perfection.

💧Before draining, reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water.

🥄 Gently add the cooked fusilli to the sauce, stirring in 1/2 cup of pasta water and half of the Parmesan, letting the cheese melt and the sauce thicken.

🥣 Gradually stir in the remaining pasta water as needed to achieve a smooth, creamy sauce.

🍽️ Serve the pasta in shallow bowls, garnished with fresh basil.

🥳 Enjoy!

🎩 Tips and Tricks

• Sauté the onion and garlic gently: Don’t rush this step! Take your time to cook the onion and garlic on medium heat until they’re soft and fragrant. This builds the base of your sauce and ensures a deep, savory flavor.
• Brown the tomato paste: Don’t just stir it in—let it cook and brown a little in the pan. This caramelization brings out the rich, umami flavors of the tomato paste and enhances the sauce.
• Use the pasta water wisely: The reserved pasta water is your friend! It’s starchy and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce that sticks to the pasta. Start with a small amount, adding more as needed to get the right consistency.
• Under-cook your pasta slightly: Cook the fusilli about 2 minutes less than the package directions. This ensures the pasta has a little more bite when you add it to the sauce, which will absorb more flavor and stay perfectly al dente.

🌟 Variations

Veggie-packed Spicy Tomato Fusilli
Add some sautéed veggies like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers to the sauce for a fresh, colorful twist. You could even toss in some mushrooms for an earthy depth.

Spicy Tomato Fusilli with Chicken
For a heartier meal, add some grilled or pan-seared chicken to the pasta. You could also swap in shredded rotisserie chicken for a quicker version. It adds protein and makes it more filling.

Spicy Tomato Fusilli with Shrimp
Add shrimp for a seafood-inspired version. Sauté the shrimp separately and fold them into the pasta at the end for a burst of flavor.

🤲 Substitutions

• Don’t have yellow onion? No problem – shallots, white onion, or red onion will bring the same sweet base with a slightly different twist.
• Out of Parmesan? Pecorino Romano can step in, or nutritional yeast if you’re keeping it dairy-free but still want that cheesy vibe.
• Any neutral oil like vegetable or avocado oil will do, or even butter if you’re after that extra richness.
• Fresh chopped chili peppers will spice things up, or swap in smoked paprika for a less fiery, but smoky kick.
• If you’re not into coconut milk, heavy cream, half-and-half, or a dairy-free cream like oat or cashew will still keep the sauce creamy and dreamy.
• Don’t have tomato paste? Use tomato sauce (just add a little more) or crushed tomatoes for a chunkier sauce.
• Penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti can fill in for Fusilli twists without missing a beat.
• Threw out the pasta water? Grab some broth or just add more cream or coconut milk to get that silky texture back.
• Fresh basil is the perfect finish, but parsley, arugula, or dried basil (use about a third of the amount) will also give you that herby pop.

📓 Best served with

• Garlic bread
• A side of grilled chicken
• Roasted vegetables

👝 How to Store Leftover Spicy Tomato Pasta

Let your pasta cool down to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it on the stove over low heat, adding a little water or cream to get that creamy texture back. You can also microwave it, just stir it in between to heat evenly.

🧠 Common Questions