Connie's Calabrian Pasta Sauce

Bring a fiery and flavorful twist to your pasta nights with Connie's Calabrian Pasta Sauce, a bold and authentic Italian recipe that’s sure to impress. This robust sauce combines the smoky heat of Calabrian chili paste with aromatic garlic and rich crushed tomatoes, creating a perfectly balanced base. A touch of sugar and dried oregano enhances its depth, while fresh basil leaves lend a garden-fresh finish. Simmered to perfection in just 35 minutes, this versatile sauce is ideal for pairing with your favorite pasta, delivering a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or an elevated dish for entertaining, this spicy Calabrian sauce is a must-try. Don’t forget to save some pasta water to achieve the perfect consistency!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 5 pieces Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 6 pieces Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
• 0.5 cups Pasta water (reserved)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Finely mince the garlic cloves and add them to the hot oil. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 3

Stir in the Calabrian chili paste and cook for another 1 minute to release its flavors.

Step 4

Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pan. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 5

Season the sauce with salt, sugar, dried oregano, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to incorporate.

Step 6

Lower the heat to a simmer and let the sauce cook gently for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the flavors come together.

Step 7

While the sauce is simmering, cook your preferred pasta in salted boiling water according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water once cooked.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. If the sauce is too thick, stir in the reserved pasta water a little at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 9

Tear the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce just before serving to add a bright, fresh flavor.

Step 10

Serve the Calabrian pasta sauce over your cooked pasta of choice. Garnish with extra basil leaves or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1051.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	676.6

Total Fat 46.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3676.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 68.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.8g	0%
Total Sugars 40.0g
Protein 13.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 202.0mg	0%
Iron 7.3mg	0%
Potassium 2188.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.8%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 36.7%