Description
Spaghetti All’Assassina is a fiery Italian pasta dish characterized by its unique cooking technique where spaghetti is cooked directly in a spicy tomato and broth mixture until it develops a deliciously charred, crispy exterior. This method infuses the pasta with rich tomato flavors and a subtle heat from red pepper flakes, creating a deeply savory and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 5 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp. tomato paste
- 3 cups tomato passata or puree
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or more as needed)
- 8 oz. spaghetti
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat oil and infuse flavors: In a large 10″ to 11″ skillet over medium-low heat, heat the olive oil. Add finely chopped garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking and stirring until the garlic begins to soften and the oil takes on a golden hue from the flakes, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and continue cooking, stirring, until the garlic becomes lightly golden and the tomato paste breaks into tiny clusters, about 1 minute.
- Prepare tomato broth and start cooking spaghetti: In a medium bowl, combine the tomato passata with the low-sodium chicken broth. Increase the skillet heat to medium-high. Lay the dry spaghetti flat into the skillet in a single layer. Pour 1 cup of the tomato broth mixture over the spaghetti and cook undisturbed until the liquid evaporates and forms a thick paste at the bottom and around the pasta, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
- Unstick and continue cooking with gradual broth additions: Use a metal spatula to gently unstick the spaghetti from the skillet as it begins to char on one side. Add the kosher salt and another 1 cup of the tomato broth mixture. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the liquid nearly evaporates and thickens into a sauce, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add broth gradually and cook until done: Gradually add the remaining tomato broth mixture in increments, cooking the pasta and stirring occasionally. Continue this process until the spaghetti is cooked al dente, with a characteristic charred texture, and the sauce clings to the pasta, which should take about 25 to 30 minutes in total.
Notes
- Use a large skillet (10″ to 11″) to ensure enough surface area for the pasta to cook evenly and develop the characteristic char.
- Be patient and add the tomato broth gradually, allowing it to evaporate slowly and develop layers of flavor.
- The key to this dish is the slight charring of the pasta, which adds a unique smoky depth.
- Adjust the level of crushed red pepper flakes based on your heat tolerance.
- This recipe works best with long, flat pasta like spaghetti to ensure proper layering and charring.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Spaghetti All'Assassina, spicy pasta, Italian pasta recipe, charred spaghetti, tomato pasta, easy Italian dinner
