Ingredients
Pasta
- 300 g (10.5 oz) pasta
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- 250 ml (1 1/4 cup) passata
- 1 x 400 ml (14 oz) can full-fat coconut milk
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves, roughly shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously, and cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the shallots: Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until it becomes slightly brown at the edges, releasing a sweet aroma.
- Add garlic and chili flakes: Stir in the chopped garlic and red chili flakes, cooking for another minute to blend the flavors without burning the garlic.
- Create the sauce base: Pour in the passata and the full-fat coconut milk, stirring well to combine all ingredients into a smooth sauce.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat slightly and let the sauce simmer gently for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta into the sauce pan and toss thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Finish with basil and seasoning: Stir in the shredded fresh basil leaves, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Use full-fat coconut milk for the best creamy texture.
- Adjust red chili flakes according to your spice preference.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh basil flavor at its best.
- Can be paired with any type of pasta like penne, fusilli, or spaghetti.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian