Spicy Creamy Penne Pasta
Spicy Creamy Penne Pasta
One-Pan Spicy Creamy Pasta
Craving something creamy yet with a kick? This simple one-pan spicy pasta is perfect for you! Enjoy a rich, flavorful dish with minimal cleanup.
Pasta & Main Ingredients- 1 handful Penne pasta (approx. 80-100g)
- 6-8 Frozen shrimp
- 1 slice Cheddar cheese
- 1 slice Mozzarella cheese (can be substituted with 2 slices of Cheddar)
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 Green chili pepper (can be substituted with dried chili flakes/peperoncino for spice)
- 1/2 can Tuna (drained, optional/can be substituted with bacon)
Sauce & Seasoning- 200ml Milk
- Water (for boiling pasta)
- 1 tsp Salt (for boiling pasta)
- 4 Tbsp Olive oil
- Pinch of Black pepper
- 1 tsp Herb salt
- 200ml Milk
- Water (for boiling pasta)
- 1 tsp Salt (for boiling pasta)
- 4 Tbsp Olive oil
- Pinch of Black pepper
- 1 tsp Herb salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare a small, deep pan (about 20cm in diameter). Fill it with enough water to boil the pasta, add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and bring it to a rolling boil. Adding salt and oil to the boiling water helps prevent the pasta from sticking and enhances its flavor.
Step 2
Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the penne pasta and cook according to the package directions, usually 11-13 minutes, until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, let’s prepare the other ingredients. *For the most accurate cooking time, refer to the instructions on your specific penne pasta package.*
Step 3
While the pasta is cooking, let’s get the ingredients ready.
1) Thaw the frozen shrimp under running cold water, pat them dry, and peel off the shells, leaving the tail on if desired.
2) Peel the garlic cloves and thinly slice them. Sliced garlic will release a wonderful aroma as it cooks.
3) Trim the stems off the green chili pepper and slice it diagonally. Removing the seeds will reduce the spiciness, or you can use them if you like it hotter. (Alternatively, you can use peperoncino for a different kind of heat).
4) Drain the tuna can thoroughly. (For a different flavor profile, diced bacon can be used instead of tuna.)
Step 4
Once the pasta is cooked to your desired texture, drain most of the water from the pan, leaving a little residual moisture. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Then, add the prepared shrimp, sliced garlic, chopped green chili pepper, and drained tuna to the pan. Stir-fry everything over medium heat until the ingredients are well combined and cooked. *Typically, you’d sauté the ingredients first before adding pasta, but in this one-pan recipe, we combine them after the pasta is cooked. As you stir-fry, the aroma of garlic and cooking shrimp will be irresistible!*
Step 5
When the shrimp are pink and cooked through and the garlic is fragrant, carefully pour in the 200ml of milk. Add the cheddar slice and mozzarella slice cheeses. Reduce the heat to low and stir continuously as it simmers. The cheese will melt, creating a rich, creamy sauce. Stirring constantly prevents the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 6
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, season with a pinch of black pepper and 1 teaspoon of herb salt. Stir well to combine. Taste and add a little more salt if needed. When all the ingredients are beautifully coated in the creamy sauce, your delicious ‘Spicy Creamy Pasta’ is ready! Serve immediately and enjoy.
