An easy, creamy and scrumptious Cheesy Chili Oil Pasta Bake recipe that’s perfect for weekday meals or potluck dinners.
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Pasta bakes are my favorite cheat code to giving your best-loved pasta recipe a bit of a face lift, turning it into a casserole-style dish. And though I do love the normal pasta version, this pasta bake style can give familiar flavors a fresh taste. Be it for weeknight dinners, potlucks, summer soirees, or backyard parties, this easy and delicious dish is a perfect add on for any of these events.
Spicy, Cheesy & Creamy Pasta Bake
This cheesy chili oil pasta bake recipe is actually inspired by Gigi Hadid’s viral Spicy Vodka Pasta, which in turn is based off the Italian Penne Alla Vodka. However, my version is vodka free. I also added chili oil for that bit of spicy kick which I find compliments the flavors of the dish incredibly.
Notes for Cheesy Chili Oil Pasta Bake
- Spice level – You can tailor the spice level of the dish by adjusting the amount of chili oil to your heat preference.
- Adjust salt accordingly – Adjust the amount of salt to your preference as some chili oil is saltier than others.
- Sauce consistency – If the sauce is too watery, let it cook for longer and if it’s too thick, add a bit more pasta water.
- Cheese combo – Use your favorite combination of cheese and add more to make it extra cheesy.
- Type of pasta – I love using rigatoni or penne pasta as it tends to catch more of the sauce. Another great option is shell pasta.
- Chili oil – I used my own homemade chili oil.
More Pasta Recipes
Alternative spelling: cheesy chilli oil pasta bake
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Recipe
Cheesy Chili Oil Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb rigatoni pasta or penne
- 2.5 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp oil
- 6 cloves garlic sliced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2.5 tbsp chili oil (just the sediments) see notes
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream or heavy cream
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 1/2 tsp salt adjust accordingly – see notes
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp paprika optional
- 2 tsp dried/fresh basil optional
- 3 cups shredded smoked gouda or cheese of choice
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar or cheese of choice
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
Chili Oil Pasta
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Boil pasta in lightly salted water until cooked and reserve some pasta water.
- Sauté garlic cloves in 1 tbsp melted butter and oil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and continue sautéing for another minute before adding chili oil.
- Stir well for another minute then pour in heavy whipping cream.
- Continue stirring for 1-2 minutes before adding the rest of the seasoning and basil.
- Let it continue cooking until it boils and stir occasionally.
- Add 1/4 cup of pasta water, pasta and the remaining butter. Stir until every piece is well coated and turn off heat.
Pasta Bake
- Mix in 2 cups of shredded smoked gouda and 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar.
- Transfer into an oven safe pot/container and add a layer of the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with parsley and serve. Enjoy!
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