This authentic Sicilian pasta recipe is so easy and it takes only 5 ingredients to make it! Spaghetti Siciliana is a fiery mix of hot pasta mixed with lots of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, chillies and olive oil. Simple and gorgeous!
As some of you know, I just returned from Italy 2 days ago and this recipe, along with Sicilian sun-dried tomatoes in a small tupperware container, was one of the things I brought home with me.
I was so blessed to be surrounded by amazing Italian homecooks, who gave me tips and advice on cooking authentic dishes from various regions of Italy. The sun-dried tomatoes were an unexpected gift from our dear hostess.
You gotta love Italian generosity and hospitality! I just briefly mentioned during lunch that I liked the tomatoes and she immediately pulled them off the table, put a lid on and handed them to me while saying, “Can you take them on the plane?”
I wasn’t sure actually whether I could take them on the plane as we only brought our carry-ons but I was not about to refuse the precious gift.
As I was leaving, another friend quickly told me how to cook this amazing pasta. And in two days I’ve been home I’ve cooked it twice!
This pasta is beautiful in its simplicity-so flavourful and satisfying! Here is what you will need.
What ingredients go into Sicilian spaghetti?
- spaghetti
- olive oil
- sun dried tomatoes
- dried chilli flakes
- garlic
You can also add parsley and Parmesan cheese.
How do I make Spaghetti Siciliana
Before I start, I would like to say that the flavour of your dish will almost solely rest on the quality of sun-dried tomatoes so keep that in mind when you are buying them. Get the best quality you can afford, after all you only need a little jar!
In a large pot of boiling and salted water cook your spaghetti according to package direction. I usually subtract 2 minutes off the cooking time suggested, this way you get them al dente.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp. of olive oil in a frying pan and add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and red chilli flakes, cook while stirring over low heat for 1 minute, then add half of your chopped parsley. Set aside. 
Drain your cooked pasta and toss everything together in the same pan, add salt to taste and remaining half of chopped parsley.
Serve with grated cheese on top. Seriously, it couldn’t get any easier or tastier than that! Buon Appetito!
More authentic Italian spaghetti recipes:
Ingredients
Ingredients for Spaghetti Siciliana
- Olive oil- 2 tbsp.
- Garlic- 3 cloves
- Red Chilli flakes-1-2 tsp.
- Sun-dried tomatoes chopped- 4 tbsp.
- Flat leaf parsley chopped- 1/2 bunch
- Spaghetti- 500 gr
- Salt
- Hard Cheese like Grana Padano or Parmesan to taste
Instructions
Instructions for Spaghetti Siciliana
- In a large pot of boiling and salted water cook your spaghetti according to package direction.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp. of olive oil in a frying pan and add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and red chilli flakes, cook while stirring over low heat for 1 minute, then add half of your chopped parsley. Set aside.
- Drain your cooked pasta and toss everything together in the same pan, add salt to taste and remaining half of chopped parsley. Serve with grated cheese on top.
Lori says
January 4, 2020 at 1:18 pmMy family was stationed in Sicily for 5 years and I miss the food. I have had this dish made with chopped anchovies. They give the dish a nice subtle saltiness.
vikalinka says
January 4, 2020 at 3:24 pmI love anchovies and use them in so many pasta dishes! I can see how this spaghetti recipe would be enhanced by them. Thank you for sharing, Lori.
Ninaa says
October 1, 2019 at 5:17 pmSo delicious and quick
I have a five year old and a two year old that ate this with a side of salmon
Loved the pic
vikalinka says
October 1, 2019 at 5:22 pmI am so happy to hear this dish is young kid approved! Your comment totally made my day, Ninaa.
Leanne G. says
July 24, 2019 at 12:01 pmHello! I made this for dinner last night for hubby and me! We loved it! Sooo delicious! I prefer this over spaghetti sauce in the store any day!! So fresh and tasty and we love the spicy kick the red pepper flakes offer! Thanks for sharing! This is now on our favorite list!!
Kristina says
July 24, 2019 at 10:59 amWow. This looks good, Iām surprised there is no eggplant as I grew up with past Sicilians having them in there..but I was a child it could have been another dish š¤·āāļø
vikalinka says
July 24, 2019 at 11:19 amThe dish with eggplant you are referring to is called pasta alla Norma, Kristina but this is just another quick way of serving spaghetti.
Nigel says
August 10, 2017 at 6:40 pmMade this again tonight. Have to say it has become our fave spaghetti dish.
Thanks for Sharing
Oh yeah the better the sun dried tomatoes the better the dish.
Pure class
vikalinka says
August 11, 2017 at 9:07 amThat’s awesome, Nigel! So pleased you love it.
Caroline says
April 22, 2017 at 7:04 pmMade this tonight for myself and my husband and we both loved it . Such a tasty meal with so few ingredients and it was so quick and easy think i will teach hubby as I’m sure he could manage it!!!
vikalinka says
April 22, 2017 at 8:39 pmIt’s such a quick dinner to make, isn’t it! No need for a takeaway when something like this is tastier, cheaper and better for you!
Cathleen says
July 31, 2016 at 2:24 pmDo you add some pasta water to make more of a sauce or more olive oil?
vikalinka says
July 31, 2016 at 3:19 pmI usually add some pasta water to the sauce but this particular recipe is not very saucy and doesn’t need extra water, Cathleen.
Kimberly G. says
December 18, 2019 at 10:30 pmAbsolutely delish……will be one of my favorites….HUSBAND LOVED IT
vikalinka says
December 19, 2019 at 9:39 amSo great to hear, Kimberly!
Kristine says
September 23, 2015 at 7:34 pmDumb question…you wrote 500grams of pasta…is that like half a box? whole box?
vikalinka says
September 23, 2015 at 7:37 pm500 g is approximately 1 lbs and it’s usually a box where I come from. š
Ashly says
April 25, 2015 at 2:16 amI made this tonight for my 2.5 year old and husband, we all loved it. My father in law came to the states from Sicily when he was a child, can’t wait to make it for him when he visits from New York. Delicious recipe!
Ashley says
April 1, 2015 at 4:08 pmI’m so excited to try this out tonight! Will angel hair pasta work or should I just stick with spaghetti noodles?
vikalinka says
April 1, 2015 at 6:52 pmI think it will still work. You might want to dial down garlic a bit as angel hair pasta is more delicate. š
Ashley says
April 2, 2015 at 3:14 pmI played it safe and stuck with spaghetti..turned out great! Thank you so much š
vikalinka says
April 2, 2015 at 3:32 pmGreat to hear, Ashley! š
lisa says
January 14, 2015 at 2:48 pmMore than 5 ingredients
vikalinka says
January 14, 2015 at 3:59 pmTechnically yes, but parsley is optional and oil is not really an ingredient. 5 ingredients are spaghetti, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, chillies and Parmesan cheese. Everything else is add-ons.
Paige says
November 5, 2014 at 11:05 pmI saw this on your pintrest and had to visit your site! Love the beautiful pictures. This is quick, easy, and delicious. Thanks you!
Marisol Meyer says
November 8, 2013 at 2:21 amMade this dish tonight. So delish! Thank you for being so generous and sharing the recipe! <3
Vikalinka says
November 8, 2013 at 9:31 amSo happy you enjoyed it, Marisol. š Thank you for your comment!
tinywhitecottage says
November 6, 2013 at 8:55 pmLove this recipe too! You are really impressing me with your posts lately. What a nice gift. Did you get them on the plane? š
Vikalinka says
November 6, 2013 at 9:03 pmThank you for your comment, you are too kind! Yes, I did get them on the plane. š I got stopped by a security guy when my bag was being scanned and my heart sunk but he mistook my eyelash curler for a pair of scissors! My sun-dried tomatoes were safe.
tinywhitecottage says
November 6, 2013 at 9:46 pmGreat story! š