Name: Chilli Oil Basil Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 150-200 gm pasta of choice; 2 tbsp olive oil; 4-5 cloves of garlic ((sliced lengthwise into “chips")); 1-2 tbsp chilli oil; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; ½ tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tbsp (vegan) oyster sauce; ½ cup fresh basil; ⅓ cup scallions ((sliced)); ½ cup parmesan ((grated))

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If you’ve been following this foodie long enough, you’ll know there’s nothing I love more than tinkering in the kitchen to combine different ingredients and cultures in in unexpected ways. Cue this chilli oil basil pasta – a fusion dish marrying the best of Italian comfort with the umami-rich depth of Asian heat. Coming together in under ten minutes, this quick pantry-raid pasta proves yet again that chilli oil isn’t just for dumplings. It’s the unsung hero of most deceivingly-simple dishes, elevating the ordinary into something unforgettable with its bold and fiery flavours!

Steps For Making This Chilli Oil Basil Pasta

Cook your pasta until it is just shy of al dente. Don’t forget to reserve some of that starchy pasta water to bring the sauce together with a silky consistency.
Stir together the spicy garlicky base. In a large pan, heat a small splash of olive oil and add thinly sliced garlic, cooking on low heat until they metamorphose into crispy golden garlic chips, filling the kitchen with their irresistible aroma. As the garlic begins to brown, stir in a few spoonfuls of chili oil.

Build the sauce. Add a mix of light and dark soy sauces, along with a splash of vegan oyster sauce for that savoury umami boost Pour in a splash of reserved pasta water to help bring everything together. Then let the sauce simmer and sizzle until it thickens with a glossy depth of flavour.
Toss in your pasta. Mix in your pasta, tossing gently to ensure each strand is coated in the spicy, garlicky goodness. Stir in handfuls of fresh basil leaves and sliced scallions for a burst of freshness, finishing with generous heaps of grated parmesan. Continue to stir gently to allow the parmesan to melt into the pasta, balancing the bold fiery flavours with a soft and creamy touch.
Serve hot! Garnish with a scattering of chopped herbs and a sprinkle more of parmesan and DIVE IN!

While any good quality chilli oil works for this recipe, I would definitely recommend making your own jar at home as you can always adjust the flavours to your spice threshold. Not to mention, a jar of chilli oil is truly the most versatile hero of any modern pantry!

Homemade Chilli Oil

A jar of homemade chilli oil is the most versatile condiment to have on hand as you can add it to just about everything from eggs to noodles and even salads. The recipe below is easily adaptable to your taste – simply adjust the ingredients below as per your preference to recalibrate the flavours to your spice threshold!

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Chilli Oil Basil Pasta

This chilli oil basil pasta is a fifteen minute pantry-raid recipe combining the rich comfort of Italian flavours with the bold depth of Asian heat!

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Fusion, Italian

Servings 2

Ingredients

150-200 gm pasta of choice
2 tbsp olive oil
4-5 cloves of garlic (sliced lengthwise into “chips")
1-2 tbsp chilli oil
1 tbsp light soy sauce
½ tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp (vegan) oyster sauce
½ cup fresh basil
⅓ cup scallions (sliced)
½ cup parmesan (grated)

Instructions

Cook your pasta of choice until it is just shy of al dente. Drain reserving the pasta water.
Heat olive oil in a large pan and add in your garlic. As the garlic starts to brown, add in the chilli oil.
Once the chilli-garlic mixture is sizzling add in your light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce and a splash of pasta water
Let the sauce sizzle and thicken, then toss in your cooked pasta with basil, scallions and grated parmesan. Stir gently (on low heat) until the parmesan melts into the glossy strands of pasta.
Serve hot with more parmesan and scallions/ basil for garnish and DIVE IN!

Video

Keyword 15 minute recipes, asian pasta recipes, chilli oil pasta, chilli oil recipes, easy asian recipes, Easy Vegetarian Recipes

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