Spaghetti All’Assassina (Assassin’s Spaghetti)
Experience the bold flavors of Spaghetti All’Assassina, a fiery Italian pasta dish that tantalizes taste buds with its spicy tomato sauce and crispy spaghetti. This recipe combines the richness of traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist, making it a perfect choice for spice lovers. Learn how to make this distinctive dish at home and enjoy a taste of Italy’s culinary creativity.
Table of Contents
- About Spaghetti All’Assassina
- Why You’ll Love This Spaghetti All’Assassina
- What Is in Spaghetti All’Assassina?
- Key Ingredients
- How To Make Spaghetti All’Assassina
- Have It Your Way
- Nutritional Facts about Spaghetti All’Assassina
- Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Spaghetti All’Assassina Recipe
About Spaghetti All’Assassina
Spaghetti All’Assassina, also known as Assassin’s Spaghetti, originated in Bari, a coastal city in the Puglia region of Southern Italy. This dish emerged as a way to use up leftover pasta, transforming it into a crispy, spicy delight. The name “Assassina” (Assassin) reflects the dish’s bold and aggressive flavors, characteristic of its spicy tomato sauce and the method of cooking the pasta directly in the sauce.
Unlike traditional Italian pasta recipes, where spaghetti is boiled and then mixed with sauce, Spaghetti All’Assassina is prepared by frying the dry pasta directly in a tomato sauce. This unique technique gives the dish its signature crispy texture and allows the pasta to absorb the intense flavors of the sauce. The dish has become a beloved staple in Bari, often enjoyed for its satisfying crunch and robust, spicy taste.
Spaghetti All’Assassina represents the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Italian home cooking. It showcases the ability to create a memorable and flavorful dish from simple ingredients and leftovers. The dish’s popularity has spread beyond Bari, becoming a symbol of Puglian culinary tradition and a testament to the region’s love for bold, hearty flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Spaghetti All’Assassina
- Bold Flavors: The spicy tomato sauce and crispy spaghetti create a unique and unforgettable taste experience.
- Unique Cooking Method: Frying the pasta directly in the sauce gives it a delightful crunch and intense flavor.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, this dish is easy to prepare yet incredibly satisfying.
- Versatile: Adjust the spice level to your preference, making it as mild or fiery as you like.
- Authentic Italian Cuisine: Experience a taste of Southern Italy’s culinary creativity and tradition.
What Is in Spaghetti All’Assassina?
- Spaghetti: The star of the dish, fried directly in the sauce for a crispy texture.
- Tomato Sauce: The base of the dish, providing rich, tangy flavors.
- Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic notes.
- Olive Oil: Used for frying the pasta and enhancing the overall flavor.
- Red Chili Peppers: Provide the dish’s signature spiciness.
- Vegetable Broth: Used to cook the pasta and deepen the flavor.
- Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous touch.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste.
Key Ingredients
- Spaghetti: Look for high-quality durum wheat pasta for the best texture.
- Tomato Sauce: Homemade or high-quality store-bought for a rich flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh cloves for maximum aroma and taste.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin for the best flavor.
- Red Chili Peppers: Adjust according to your spice tolerance.
- Vegetable Broth: Adds depth and richness to the dish.
- Parsley: Freshly chopped for garnish.
How To Make Spaghetti All’Assassina
- In a sauce pan over medium low heat, add the olive oil, garlic, and red chili flakes. Allow the oil to heat up. Then add the crushed San Marzono Tomatoes, along with Basil, Salt, Black Pepper, and Sugar (optional ingredient). Stir to combine thoroughly. Cover, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove from heat, and set aside.
- Boil water in an electric kettle, or stove to use in cooking of the pasta. Set aside
- In a large pan (12″ or larger) over medium low heat, add 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, along with garlic and red chili flakes.
- Once the oil is hot and infused with the garlic and red chili flakes, add in the uncooked spaghetti. Gently Stir the spaghetti until it changes color.
- Add in a cup of hot water, and a cup of pasta sauce to the pan. Then gently stir the spaghetti to coat it with water and pasta sauce, being careful to avoid breaking the spaghetti. Allow the water and pasta sauce to reduce, and then add more water and pasta sauce until the spaghetti is al dente.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked, increase the heat slightly to evaporate rest of the water to prevent overcooking the pasta.
- Then spread the pasta evenly across the pan. Then wait about 20 seconds. At this point, the sauce and some of the spaghetti should be sticking to the pasta slightly. Then use a spatula, get underneat the spaghetti, and fold it over. To char the other side. Keep doing this until as much of the spaghetti as possible is charred.
- Turn off the heat, and garnish with basil and parmesan cheese.
- Serve and Enjoy 🙂
Have It Your Way
- Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth and add more vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute with gluten-free spaghetti.
- Extra Protein: Add cooked chickpeas or white beans for a protein boost.
- Herbaceous Twist: Add fresh basil or oregano for additional herbal notes.
- Cheesy Touch: Sprinkle with vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Nutritional Facts about Spaghetti All’Assassina
- Low in Fat: Using a small amount of oil keeps it lower in fat while maintaining richness.
- High in Fiber: Adding vegetables increases the fiber content.
- Vegan-Friendly: Ensure all ingredients, especially the noodles and sauce, are vegan-friendly.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Scissor-Cut Noodles Stir Fry
- Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles Stir Fry)
- Yaki Udon
- Creamy Gochujang Pasta
- Vegan Dan Dan Noodles
Spaghetti All’Assassina Recipe
Spaghetti All’Assassina
Experience the bold flavors of Spaghetti All'Assassina, a fiery Italian pasta dish that tantalizes taste buds with its spicy tomato sauce and crispy spaghetti. This recipe combines the richness of traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist, making it a perfect choice for spice lovers. Learn how to make this distinctive dish at home and enjoy a taste of Italy's culinary creativity.
Ingredients
- 8 Oz Spaghetti uncooked
- 3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp. Garlic Minced
- 1 Tsp Red Chili Flakes
- ½ Tsp Salt or to taste
- Basil garnish
Pasta Sauce:
- 28 oz. San Marzano Tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp. Garlic minced
- 1 Tsp Red Chili Flakes
- 3 Tbsp. Basil Fresh, Chiffonade
- ½ Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Black Pepper
- ½ Tbsp. Sugar optional if needed
Instructions
- In a sauce pan over medium low heat, add the olive oil, garlic, and red chili flakes. Allow the oil to heat up. Then add the crushed San Marzano Tomatoes, along with Basil, Salt, Black Pepper, and Sugar (optional ingredient). Stir to combine thoroughly. Cover, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove from heat, and set aside.
- Boil water in an electric kettle, or stove to use in cooking of the pasta. Set aside
- In a large pan (12″ or larger) over medium low heat, add 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, along with garlic and red chili flakes.
- Once the oil is hot and infused with the garlic and red chili flakes, add in the uncooked spaghetti. Gently Stir the spaghetti until it changes color.
- Add in a cup of hot water, and a cup of pasta sauce to the pan. Then gently stir the spaghetti to coat it with water and pasta sauce, being careful to avoid breaking the spaghetti. Allow the water and pasta sauce to reduce, and then add more water and pasta sauce until the spaghetti is al dente.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked, increase the heat slightly to evaporate rest of the water to prevent overcooking the pasta.
- Then spread the pasta evenly across the pan. Then wait about 20 seconds. At this point, the sauce and some of the spaghetti should be sticking to the pasta slightly. Then use a spatula, get underneath the spaghetti, and fold it over. To char the other side. Keep doing this until as much of the spaghetti as possible is charred.
- Turn off the heat, and garnish with basil and parmesan cheese.
- Serve and Enjoy 🙂
Notes
- Adjust Spiciness: Modify the amount of red chili peppers to suit your taste.
- Use a Large Skillet: Ensure the spaghetti has enough space to fry evenly.
- Monitor Heat: Keep the heat at medium to prevent burning while achieving a crispy texture.
- Broth Addition: Add the broth gradually to control the cooking process and ensure the pasta absorbs the flavors.
- Serving: Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 350kcal
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