Description

This Copycat Carbone’s Spicy Pasta is a creamy, spicy dish inspired by the iconic New York Italian restaurant. It features perfectly cooked cavatappi noodles coated in a rich tomato and heavy cream sauce, spiced up with garlic, red pepper flakes, and a touch of black pepper. Simple to prepare with pantry staples, this pasta delivers bold flavors and a satisfying heat that pairs beautifully with fresh parsley garnish.

Ingredients

Pasta

16 ounces cavatappi noodles, cooked according to package instructions
1 cup reserved pasta water

Sauce

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 16 ounces of cavatappi noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Drain and rinse the pasta, then set aside.
Prepare the sauce base: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 teaspoons of minced garlic and cook for about one minute, until fragrant but not browned.
Make the creamy tomato sauce: Stir in 6 ounces of tomato paste, 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fully heated through and well combined.
Adjust sauce consistency: Gradually add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, to thin the sauce until your desired creamy consistency is achieved.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked cavatappi noodles to the skillet and gently toss to coat the pasta completely with the spicy red cream sauce.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta for color and freshness. Serve warm immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to help adjust sauce consistency smoothly.
Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to make the dish more or less spicy according to your preference.
Use fresh parsley for garnish to add a bright herbal note.
Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version, though creaminess will be reduced.
For a dairy-free option, try coconut cream, but note the flavor change.