Li'l Italy Recipe
Make Li'l Italy Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Sauce
Garnish
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- 1
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 1 tsp of salt.
- 2
Cook Pasta
Add the fusilli pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- 3
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside. Reserve a little pasta water for later if needed.
Making the Sauce
- 4
Heat Olive Oil
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- 5
Sauté Garlic
Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- 6
Add Tomatoes and Spices
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, 0.5 tsp of salt, and 0.25 tsp of black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- 7
Simmer the Sauce
Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- 8
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the cooked fusilli to the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- 9
Add Parmesan
Stir in 0.5 cups of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.
Serving
- 10
Plate the Dish
Serve the pasta in bowls, garnishing with fresh basil leaves and an additional 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- 11
Enjoy!
Enjoy your Li'l Italy pasta dish warm with your favorite side salad or garlic bread.