Chocolate Chili Pasta Shavings (Print View)

A fusion of cocoa, chili, and dark chocolate elevates this savory vegetarian pasta to bold new heights.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 350 grams dried tagliatelle or pappardelle

→ Sauce Base

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red chili, seeded and finely chopped

→ Sauce Spices and Liquids

06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 400 grams canned chopped tomatoes
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
11 - 1 teaspoon brown sugar
12 - 120 milliliters vegetable broth
13 - Salt, to taste
14 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

15 - 40 grams high-quality dark chocolate (70% cacao solids), shaved or grated
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, chopped
17 - Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, being sure to reserve approximately 100 milliliters of the starchy pasta water.
02 - While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and chopped red chili. Sauté for 1 minute more until fragrant.
04 - Incorporate the ground cumin and smoked paprika into the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, to release their aromas.
05 - Add the canned chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, unsweetened cocoa powder, and brown sugar to the skillet. Pour in the vegetable broth. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
06 - Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
07 - Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat. Incorporate the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, as needed to achieve a silky and emulsified consistency.
08 - Divide the finished pasta among individual serving plates. Lavishly top each portion with the shaved or grated dark chocolate and the freshly chopped herbs. Finish with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 45 minutes for a gourmet experience
  • Creates a perfect balance of savory depth with subtle chocolate notes
  • Uses mostly pantry staples with just a few fresh ingredients
02 -
  • High in flavor complexity with minimal effort
  • Perfect for impressing guests with an unexpected flavor combination
  • Can be prepared in advance up to the final chocolate garnish
03 -
  • For the most impressive presentation, use a vegetable peeler to create large chocolate curls rather than grating the chocolate. The dramatic look of large chocolate pieces melting into the hot pasta creates a memorable visual impact that will have guests reaching for their phones to capture the moment before diving in.

Return