Calabrian Chili Pasta

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and salt; cook, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Step 3

   Coarsely chop the sun-dried cherry tomatoes, then add them to the pot. Add in the Calabrian chili paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to soften.

4. Step 4

   Add the can of peeled tomatoes, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon. You want some rough chunks of the tomato, so don’t break them down completely. Add in the dried oregano and lemon juice; allow to simmer over low heat for 5 to 6 minute, stirring occasionally.

5. Step 5

   While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Set the reserved water aside. Add the butter to the sauce along with the cooked pasta. Continue to cook over medium-low heat, stirring until the pasta is coated in sauce.

6. Step 6

   Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved pasta water at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency. Stir in about half of the parmesan cheese.

7. Step 7

   Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Top the Calabrian chili pasta with more parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve immediately.