By Elise BauerView →
20-MIN ITALIAN
This 4-Ingredient, 20-Minute Italian Spaghetti Has a Devilish Backstory
★★★★★
5.0 (184)|(2 Reviews)Known in Italy as Spaghetti all'Assassina, this slightly charred, fiery pasta is cooked directly in spicy tomato broth.
T
By Theodora Kaloudis (Recipe Developer)•Published May 20, 2026
⏱ 20 mins
Simply Recipes / Theodora Kaloudis🔥 420 kcal
WHY MAKE THIS
- Crispy, slightly charred noodle texture unlike standard boiled pasta.
- Just 4 pantry staples: spaghetti, tomato paste, garlic, and crushed red pepper.
- Ready in 20 minutes in a single wide skillet.
20-MIN ITALIAN
This 4-Ingredient, 20-Minute Italian Spaghetti Has a Devilish Backstory
Legend has it that this Pugliese specialty was born when a Bari chef made pasta so spicy his customer yelled 'You are an assassin!' The uncooked spaghetti is scorched in hot olive oil, garlic, and chili paste, then slowly cooked risotto-style in concentrated tomato broth until crunchy and charred.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Servings4 servings
Scale Recipe:
📱Keep Screen Awake While Cooking
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti (bronze-cut preferred)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste plus 3 cups hot water
- 1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or calabrian chile paste)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Fresh basil or parsley for finishing
Directions
1
Build tomato broth
In a small saucepan, whisk tomato paste with hot water and salt. Keep hot over low heat.
2
Sizzle garlic & chiles
In a large 12-inch nonstick or cast-iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add sliced garlic and chili flakes; sizzle for 1 minute until fragrant.
3
Char the raw noodles
Lay dry, uncooked spaghetti flat across the skillet. Let sizzle undisturbed for 3 minutes until bottom strands turn dark amber and crunchy.
4
Ladle broth risotto-style
Ladle in 1 cup hot tomato broth. Nudge the pasta as it softens. Repeat ladling broth as liquid absorbs for 10-12 minutes until pasta is chewy with caramelized crispy edges.
💡 CHEF'S PRO TIPS
- Use a wide skillet so the dry noodles can lie flat against the hot surface.
- Don't fear the char—the crispy scorched bits are the signature flavor of this dish.
Nutrition Facts
Per ServingCalories420 kcal
Protein12g
Carbs62g
Total Fat14g
Sodium: 580mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 2g
Community Reviews & Ratings
2 cooks have shared their thoughts on this recipe
S
Sarah M.★★★★★
This has completely replaced my normal avocado toast! The beans blend so well you cannot even tell, and I stay full until lunchtime!
D
David K.★★★★★
Great trick for adding protein without cooking eggs on busy mornings. Added a pinch of red pepper flakes and lemon zest—delicious.
