Spaghetti all'Assassina, sometimes also called Assassin's Spaghetti, is a classic Italian dish that is flavorful and easy to make. The spaghetti noodles are smothered in a rich tomato sauce that is charred and slightly spicy, making it the perfect dish for those who enjoy a little heat in their meal.
Be sure to read the post till the end, I am going to give you a grandma secret.
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Pasta has earned a permanent spot in our weekly meal plan thanks to its incredible versatility—it pairs perfectly with countless sauces and ingredients. Whether you're craving something light and fresh like our Shrimp Scampi Without Wine or a hearty, comforting dish like Baked Ziti with Ground Beef, these recipes are delicious ways to elevate your dinner rotation.
What do you need to make spaghetti all'Assassina?
Ingredient notes
- Oil - When cooking pasta, I prefer to use a high-quality olive oil.
- Garlic cloves - Fresh garlic gives this comfort food the best flavor; You can also use garlic powder.
- Tomato passata - This is an uncooked tomato puree that is usually sold in a glass jar and can be found in the international aisle of most grocery stores. However, tomato sauce would also work.
- Marinara sauce - Marinara sauce helps to add a depth of flavor to the dish, but if you don't have it on hand, you can substitute it with tomato sauce and some Italian herbs like oregano and basil.
- Seasonings - You will need salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to make this simple dish.
- Dry pasta - I've found that spaghetti noodles work best for this recipe; however, you can also try angel hair.
Spaghetti all'Assassina
Ingredients
For the tomato broth:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cups tomato passata or use Tomato sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 ½ cups Water
- 1 teaspoon sat or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For cooking the spaghetti:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 8 oz dry spaghetti pasta
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add oil then saute garlic for 30 seconds on medium, pour tomato passata, marinara sauce over then add water. Add seasonings and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low to keep the sauce warm while making the pasta.
- In a non stick skillet large enough to take your spaghetti without breaking it. Add oil then add the chili flakes. Cook on medium for 30 seconds.
- Add spaghetti and tilt the pan trying to scoop the chili oil over the dry pasta until it is all coated with oil.
- Ladle about two cups of the sauce over the pasta. Use tongs to push on pasta until the sauce is almost all absorbed.
- When you feel the pan is getting dry wait for a minute or so to get some char at the bottom of the pasta.
- Then ladle some more sauce, maybe a cup and a half this time, waiting for it to be absorbed by the pasta and again get some nice char at the bottom.
- As the pasta cooks it will get softer and it will be easier to move with tongs without breaking it.
- When the pasta is done taste to adjust seasoning.
- At this point you can serve the pasta but I love to brown it even more.
- Crank up the heat a notch and keep your pasta in an even layer to brown more at the bottom. Turn pasta over to brown even more on the other side.
- Serve pasta sprinkled with some chili pepper or more olive oil
Nutrition
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How to make Spaghetti all'Assassina
Step 1: In a medium saucepan, add oil, then saute garlic for 30 seconds on medium, pour tomato passata, marinara sauce over, then add water. Add seasonings and bring to a simmer.
Step 2: Add the olive and red pepper flakes to a large skillet or pot. Cook on medium for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Add the spaghetti noodles to the pot with the oil.
Step 4: Coat the noodles in the oil and red pepper flakes.
Step 5: Ladle about two cups of the sauce over the pasta. Use tongs to push on the pasta until the sauce is almost all absorbed.
Step 6: When you feel the pan is getting dry, wait for a minute or so to get some char at the bottom of the pasta.
Step 7: Then ladle some more sauce, maybe a cup and a half this time, waiting for it to be absorbed by the pasta and again get some nice char at the bottom.
Step 8: Crank up the heat a notch and keep your pasta in an even layer to brown more at the bottom. Turn pasta over to brown even more on the other side.
- Add Protein - Want to make this dish heartier? You can toss in some cooked chicken, crispy bacon, or even shrimp. They all pair beautifully with the creamy, cheesy goodness.
Amira's tips
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, basil, or chives on top right before serving. It adds a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor.
- The pasta should be coated evenly, but not swimming in sauce. A good tip is to add the sauce gradually until it’s just right.
- For an extra burst of flavor, add a tablespoon of butter to the pasta at the end of the cooking process. It adds a rich flavor.
How to store and reheat
Storage - If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to let the pasta cool down before storing it.
Reheating - To reheat, simply microwave the pasta for 2-3 minutes until heated through. You can also reheat on the stovetop by adding a splash of water or broth and heating over medium heat until warmed, you can even char it more.
Serving suggestions
I like to serve it alongside a fresh garden salad such as this Mediterranean Arugula Salad. Air Fryer Garlic Bread or Cheese Stuffed Breadsticks are also an excellent choice for soaking up all the tomato sauce. And, you can't forget dessert such as these Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes.
You'll also like
Does your family love pasta? Then I recommend that you try this Vegetarian Orzo, Tuscan Chicken Orzo, or Pasta with Eggplant. They will all become new favorites for your whole family.
Can you believe I’ve known and loved this recipe for almost 30 years without even knowing its name? It all started with my friend’s grandma from Alexandria. She’d heat a skillet, swirl in some olive oil, and sizzle a couple of garlic cloves until the kitchen smelled like heaven. Then in went the leftover pasta, crisped up until it was hot, smoky, and just a little charred.
We’d all come running to the kitchen —it was that good. Turns out, she was basically making spaghetti all’assassina her way! This is her simpler, weeknight-friendly take on this pasta magic.
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Nora
This is a most unique way of cooking/preparing pasta & I thank you for teaching me. I do love my pasta & am usually on the lookout for varying means of preparing it. I have added this recipe to my pinterest library & once I make it I will return to let you know what I think. It's late spring here, so I may not be trying this until fall!
Amira
Thanks Nora, I hope you'll like it.