Spicy Italian Seafood Tomato Pasta
A Taste of Italy: Seafood Tomato Pasta Recipe That You Can Simmer!
This Italian tomato pasta is brimming with a generous amount of seafood, reminiscent of a hearty Italian seafood stew! Made by simmering, it offers a deep and rich flavor. The exquisite combination of fresh seafood’s umami and the spicy kick from peperoncino is simply divine. It’s also perfect for a home party!
Main Ingredients- Spaghetti pasta 1 handful (approx. 100g)
- Olive oil 2 Tbsp
- Garlic 3 cloves (sliced thinly)
- Peperoncino 3 pieces (halved and seeded)
- Fresh onion 1/4 (thinly sliced)
- Button mushrooms 4 (sliced thinly)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the spaghetti pasta and cook for about 8 minutes, which is 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain the pasta using a colander, but be sure to reserve about 2 cups of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water is key to creating a rich, flavorful sauce!
Step 2
Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over low heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and sauté gently until it turns golden brown and fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Once the garlic is lightly browned, add the halved peperoncino and stir-fry briefly to release its spicy aroma. (Monitor the heat carefully to prevent the garlic from burning!)
Step 3
Add the sliced onion and thinly sliced button mushrooms to the pan. Increase the heat to medium and sauté until the onions become translucent and the mushrooms soften. Cooking the vegetables well will bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 4
Now, add all the prepared seafood (shrimp, squid, mussels) to the pan. Pour in 2 Tbsp of rice wine (Cheongju) to help remove any fishy odors. Cook until the mussels open up. Be careful not to overcook the seafood; once the mussels are fully opened, they are ready.
Step 5
Pour the reserved 2 cups of pasta water and 1.5 cups of tomato sauce into the pan with the sautéed seafood and vegetables. Stir in the chopped basil leaves or dried basil powder. Season with 1/4 Tbsp salt and a pinch of black pepper to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld. Adjust the consistency by simmering longer if needed.
Step 6
Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, add the pre-cooked spaghetti pasta to the pan. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Cook for another minute, allowing the pasta to absorb the delicious sauce. Your flavorful Seafood Tomato Pasta is now complete! Serve hot on a plate and garnish with fresh basil leaves for an elegant presentation.
