How to prepare Spicy Tomato Pasta With Arugula

 Spicy Tomato Pasta With Arugula

Time : 20 minutes 

This one-pot pasta is coated in a rich sauce owing to a basic foundation of olive oil, tomato paste, smoky Calabrian chili paste, and pasta water. It's a go-to recipe for sleepy weeknights when you don't want to chop an onion or mince garlic. This spicy and flavorful Italian chile paste is made from crushed Calabrian chiles combined with oil, salt, and occasionally vinegar. If you can't locate it, you can also use hot pickled chiles or chile-garlic paste. You can always add extra chile to your bowl, so err on the side of caution with that. Two methods of serving the arugula: Each serving bowl should have a tangle of it at the bottom. Toss the heated spaghetti with it to soften. Then slice the rawness, or heap it on top, pour with your lovely olive oil, and sprinkle with some grated cheese for a salad and pasta dish.

INGREDIENTS

Yield:

4 servings

Salt

¾pound long, thin pasta, such as vermicelli or capellini

2tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed

1(4½-ounce) tube tomato paste, preferably double-concentrated

1 to 2teaspoons Calabrian chile paste (or chile-garlic paste or sliced hot pickled chiles), plus more for garnish

4packed cups baby arugula

Grated Parmesan, for serving

PREPARATION

Step 1

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta, then adjust the heat to maintain a gentle boil and cook until the pasta is just al dente, about 1 minute less than the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water; drain the pasta in a colander.

Step 2

Wipe out the same pot and return to medium heat. Add the olive oil and tomato paste, stirring until combined and slightly darker in color, about 2 minutes. Season lightly with salt and add the chile paste, stirring to combine, 15 to 30 seconds.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low. Add the pasta and ½ cup of the pasta water to the pot; use tongs to stir and coat the noodles. Drizzle with oil as needed to prevent the noodles from sticking and allow the sauce to adhere, tossing until the noodles are all a fiery orange color. Add a splash more pasta water if it looks dry. Season with salt as needed.

 Step 4

Divide the pasta among individual bowls, then set the arugula on one side. Finish with some grated cheese, more chile and a final drizzle of oil, if desired. Toss to integrate and soften the arugula, if desired.