Make this delicious and healthy red sauce pasta under 30 mins. It is a plant-based dish but you can also make it vegetarian by stirring in your favorite cheese. Make it a meat-based meal, by stirring in some grilled or cooked chicken or Keema.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 25 minutes
  • Total time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: world

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups (120 grams) fusilli (or any other pasta (2 servings, read notes))
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ((divided))
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt (to cook pasta (+ more to season))
  • 3 to 4 (1 tablespoon) garlic cloves ((fine chopped))
  • ¼ cup shallot or onions ((finely chopped))
  • 250 grams (1¾ cups) tomatoes ((2 medium diced))
  • ½ cup (70 grams) red bell peppers or white onion
  • ½ to 1 teaspoons red chili flakes ((reduce for kids, adjust to taste))
  • ½ teaspoon mixed Italian herbs (or oregano (or 3 to 4 fresh basil leaves))
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly crushed (optional + more to garnish))
  • 6 cups water (to boil pasta)
  • grated parmesan ((to garnish, optional))

Method

Preparation

  1. Spread tomatoes and bell peppers on a baking tray and add a tbsp. of oil. Bake for 15 mins at 425 F - 220 C, until the tomatoes are softened. Or alternately, pan fry the tomatoes and bell peppers on a medium high heat until blistered & soft, for about 5 to 6 mins. Or Air fry for 9 mins at 390F / 200 C.
  2. Cool down and blend to a smooth sauce with chili flakes.
  3. Bring water to a rolling boil and add the pasta along with salt (if required, check the package). On a medium high heat, cook al dente following the timings on the pack. Mine takes 11 mins.
  4. Reserve half cup pasta stock and drain to a colander. Cover and keep aside.

How to Make Red Sauce Pasta

  1. Heat a pan with oil and add garlic. Saute for a minute and add the onions.
  2. Saute until transparent. Stir in the chili flakes and pour tomato puree. Saute for 3 to 4 mins and pour the reserved pasta stock.
  3. Cook for another 3 to 4 mins until thick (check pics) and add the herbs, black pepper (optional) and salt. Taste test and add sugar if your sauce is too tart.
  4. Stir the pasta into the red sauce. Garnish with parmesan and black pepper if you want.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.