Pasta with spicy tomato and mozzarella sauce
A simple, comforting pasta dish with a rich tomato and chilli sauce, finished with melted mozzarella, fresh basil and Parmesan for an easy Italian-style meal.
Updated : 29 January, 2026
Easy
About 20 min.
Ingredients
2 teaspoon
Olive oil
1
Onion
3 clove
Garlic
1
Red chilli pepper
400 grams
Canned tomatoes
splash
Red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon
Tomato purée
to taste
Tabasco
1 teaspoon
Sugar
small handful
Basil
125 grams
Mozzarella
400 grams
Pasta
small handful
Parmesan
to taste
Salt
to taste
Ground black pepper
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened and just starting to colour. Stir in the garlic and chilli and fry for a further 1-2 minutes.
Step 2
Add the chopped tomatoes, red wine vinegar, tomato purée, a splash or two of Tabasco to taste, the sugar and half of the basil leaves. Stir well and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then continue to cook gently until it has thickened and reduced in volume.
Step 4
Just before serving, stir the crumbled mozzarella into the hot tomato sauce, then add the drained pasta and mix until well coated.
Step 5
Divide the pasta evenly between four plates and finish with the remaining basil leaves and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.
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