Mild Chili Flake Pasta with Fuego Dulce (20 Minutes)
Jun 13, 2026
Mild Chili Flake Pasta with Fuego Dulce
Full-flavor pasta with the depth of good chili flakes and none of the heat — family-friendly, 20 minutes, and more interesting than anything you'd make with plain red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
The Dish
- 400g (14 oz) linguine or spaghetti
- 5 tablespoons good extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1½ teaspoons Fuego Dulce (use generously — no heat risk)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ cup pasta water (reserved)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Large handful fresh parsley, chopped
- Parmesan for serving
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook Pasta
Boil pasta in generously salted water until 1 minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Build the Oil
While pasta cooks, add olive oil and garlic to a cold large skillet. Set to medium-low. Cook slowly 5-6 minutes until garlic is pale golden and sweet-smelling. Add Fuego Dulce and Italian Seasoning. Stir 45 seconds — the oil will turn a gorgeous golden-orange. Because Fuego Dulce is mild, there's no risk of aggressive heat: use the full amount without hesitation.
Step 3: Combine
Add drained pasta to the skillet. Add ¼ cup pasta water. Toss over medium heat 1-2 minutes, adding pasta water as needed until the sauce is glossy and coats every strand. Add lemon zest and parsley at the very end — off the heat to preserve their brightness.
Step 4: Finish & Serve
Taste and adjust salt. Plate and finish with extra Fuego Dulce (another generous pinch as a garnish), Parmesan, and a drizzle of your best olive oil. Serve immediately.
🌶 Shop the Seasonings
Fuego Dulce is the star — mild enough to use freely, flavorful enough to matter.
Also pair with the Tuscan Sun Italian Kitchen Bundle for the complete Italian pantry.
