Spicy Cream Pasta: A Rich and Inviting Dish
Impress Your Guests with This Easy Spicy Cream Pasta Recipe (Part 2)
A delicious and hearty pasta dish that’s surprisingly affordable! This is the second installment in our easy recipe series, perfect for making any meal special.
Ingredients- Spaghetti pasta
- 1 bottle Cream Sauce
- 1 tsp Minced garlic (or sliced garlic)
- 1 Onion
- 1 tsp Cooking oil (or butter)
- 2 Mushrooms (e.g., Button or Cremini)
- 160g Bacon
- A handful of Cocktail shrimp
- 1/2 paper cup Milk (approx. 100ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gather all your ingredients. You’ll need spaghetti pasta, cream sauce, minced or sliced garlic, an onion, cooking oil or butter, mushrooms, bacon, cocktail shrimp, and about half a paper cup (approx. 100ml) of milk.
Step 2
Before you start chopping and prepping, get a large pot of water on the stove to boil for the pasta. Plenty of water is key to prevent the spaghetti from sticking.
Step 3
This recipe uses ‘Fontana Sicilia Piccante Cream Sauce’. This particular sauce is designed for 4 servings and offers a delightful spicy kick with a rich flavor. (Always check your sauce’s packaging for specific serving size recommendations.)
Step 4
Prepare the bacon by cutting it into approximately 1cm thick strips. For a less greasy finish, you can lightly pat the bacon dry with paper towels.
Step 5
Peel and wash the onion, then slice it into thin strips, about 0.5cm thick. Slicing them too thinly might cause them to disintegrate when cooked.
Step 6
Clean the mushrooms by trimming any dirty ends, then slice them into quarters or sixths. Rinse the cocktail shrimp under cold water and pat them dry. If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are fully thawed.
Step 7
Once the water for the pasta reaches a rolling boil, add a pinch of salt. This seasons the pasta from the inside out, enhancing the overall flavor.
Step 8
Measure out enough spaghetti for 3-4 servings, which is typically around 200-300g. Adjust this amount based on how many people you’re serving.
Step 9
When adding the pasta to the boiling water, spread it out gently so it doesn’t clump together. If the strands don’t immediately submerge, use a spoon or spatula to carefully push them down.
Step 10
*Pasta Cooking Time Guide*:
– 8 minutes: For a firmer, al dente texture.
– 9 minutes: Recommended for a chewy, springy texture.
– 10 minutes: For a softer, more tender pasta.
Feel free to adjust the cooking time to your preference. I personally like cooking it for 9 minutes and then finishing it in the sauce. Reserve some pasta water before draining!
Step 11
Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, drain it in a colander. It’s a good idea to scoop out about a ladleful of the starchy pasta water before draining; this can be used later to adjust the sauce consistency.
Step 12
To avoid making the cream sauce too rich, I prefer using cooking oil instead of butter for sautéing the ingredients. However, butter can add an extra layer of deliciousness if you prefer.
Step 13
Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced or sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. This process releases the aromatic oils from the garlic.
Step 14
As soon as you can smell the garlic, add the cocktail shrimp to the pan. Sauté them until they turn pink and are almost cooked through.
Step 15
When the shrimp are partially cooked, add the prepared bacon to the pan. Continue to cook until the bacon is nicely browned and crisp. The rendered bacon fat will add fantastic flavor.
Step 16
After sautéing the shrimp and bacon for about 2-3 minutes, add the sliced mushrooms and onions. Stir everything together and continue to cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
Step 17
Sauté the onions until they become translucent and the mushrooms are tender, which should take about another 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcooking to retain some texture and moisture.
Step 18
Now, pour the prepared cream sauce into the pan with the sautéed ingredients. Stir gently to combine everything.
Step 19
To achieve a smoother, more luxurious sauce consistency, add about half a paper cup (approx. 100ml) of milk. You can add a little more milk if you prefer a thinner sauce.
Step 20
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let it bubble and thicken slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This process allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 21
Add the drained, cooked spaghetti directly into the simmering sauce.
Step 22
Gently toss the pasta in the sauce, ensuring each strand is well-coated. Continue to cook for about 1-2 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the sauce’s flavor. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Step 23
Voila! Your delicious Spicy Cream Pasta is ready! Thanks to the kick from the sauce, it’s incredibly satisfying without being heavy. You’ll find yourself scraping the plate clean – it’s that good! Enjoy this fantastic dish!
