This spicy one-pot fusilli is ideal for an easy weeknight dinner. Made with fresh vegetables, herbs, and hearty pasta, it comes together in about 30 minutes.
This recipe is perfect when you need a quick lunch or dinner. Cooking the pasta in the same pot as the sauce reduces dishes and yields a nicely starchy, clinging sauce.
If you enjoy this, try the Spicy Peanut Noodles recipe next!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Vegan: Made without meat, dairy, or eggs — fully vegan and vegetarian friendly.
- One Pot: The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, so you’ll end up with fewer dishes and a flavorful, cohesive sauce.
- Quick & Easy: The recipe takes about 30 minutes with straightforward instructions and simple ingredients.
- Full of Flavor: Fresh vegetables and a kick of crushed red pepper give this dish bold, balanced flavor.
Ingredient Notes
Fusilli: A sturdy spiral pasta that holds up well in one-pot dishes.
Onion: Sweet or yellow onions both work.
Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor.
Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are recommended for a concentrated tomato flavor, but other varieties will work.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities.
Substitutions & Additions
Different pasta: Swap fusilli for any pasta you have on hand.
Spice level: Increase or decrease crushed red pepper to suit your heat preference.
Extra vegetables: Stir in spinach or kale at the end, or add vegetables to the sauce while it cooks.
Sauce consistency: Add more or less water as needed to achieve a thicker or thinner sauce.
Step by Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make the spicy fusilli:
Step 1: Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and cook about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook another minute.
Step 2: Add the diced tomatoes, salt, and crushed red pepper. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 3–5 minutes until the tomatoes begin to soften and release liquid, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Add one cup of water and the uncooked pasta to the pot, stirring to combine. Cover and cook until the pasta is tender (usually 10–13 minutes). Stir every few minutes so the pasta cooks evenly and the sauce distributes well.
Step 4: When the pasta is cooked to your liking, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the coconut milk. Taste and adjust salt and crushed red pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fusilli is a spiral-shaped pasta that holds sauce well and works nicely in one-pot dishes.
Crushed red pepper flakes provide the heat; adjust the amount to your taste.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
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Cashew Pasta Sauce
-
Beet Pasta Sauce
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Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
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Orzo Pesto Salad
If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating or a comment — feedback is much appreciated!
One Pot Spicy Fusilli
Kelsey Riley
Ingredients
- ½ pound fusilli
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 roma tomatoes diced, about 4 cups
- 1 yellow onion diced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup coconut milk
Instructions
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Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and cook about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
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Add the tomato paste and minced garlic, stir, and cook for about 1 minute.
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Add the diced tomatoes, salt, and crushed red pepper; stir and cook 3–5 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
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Pour in 1 cup of water and add the uncooked fusilli. Stir well, cover, and cook 10–13 minutes until pasta is tender, stirring every 3–4 minutes.
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Remove from heat, stir in the coconut milk, adjust salt and crushed red pepper to taste, and serve.
Notes
Makes 2 large servings.