Chilli pasta is a quick and easy healthy family meal. Vegetarian with kidney beans substituted for meat it's full of fibre and goodness.
Chilli Pasta, or Chili Pasta?
Take your pick on what spelling you prefer depending on where you are in the world!
However as I’m in the U.K. we’ll go for the Oxford Dictionary spelling.
For my U.S. chums, I know you’ll go for the later, but what’s spelling between friends anyway?
So, besides the spelling difference, I can assure you that there is no difference in just how tasty this easy chilli pasta dish is. Wherever you are in the world!
With all the nutritional goodness of the whole wheat fusilli and protein from the kidney beans, this low cost family meal for 4 is one to add to your “quick dinners” list.
It's great for those occasions you don’t have much time to prepare a meal but need something healthy. low cost and perfect for freezing too.
This simple chilli pasta recipe is made in just 1 hour and can serve a family of 4 so it's ideal for busy week nights!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Italian Chilli Pasta Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: This recipe is designed for busy people. It takes just 15 minutes to prep then 30 minutes to let it simmer away. This makes it an ideal choice for a healthy family meal.
- Nutritious and Vegetarian: Kidney beans are substituted for meat. So this garlic chilli pasta dish is not only vegetarian but also rich in protein and fibre.
- Budget Friendly: Only using affordable ingredients like dried whole wheat fusilli and canned kidney beans, this meal is low cost but still tastes great.
- Perfect for Families: This tomato garlic and chilli pasta sauce recipe is enough to serve a family of four. So it's a perfect addition to your list of quick and healthy family dinners.
- Freezable: This chilli pasta is suitable for freezing. It can be part of meal prepping so ensuring you have a healthy option ready for busy days where you just don't feel like cooking.
Ingredients
- Low Calorie Cooking Spray
- Onion
- Garlic Clove
- Mushrooms - I just use basic white mushrooms here. Use any kind you want.
- Canned Red Kidney Beans in Tomato Chilli Sauce
- Canned Chopped Peeled Tomatoes
- Ground Coriander
- Ground Cumin
- Whole Wheat Pasta Fusilli - you can use any type of pasta you want like spaghetti, penne or rigatoni.
- Freshly Ground Salt and Black Pepper - to season
- Freshly Chopped Parsley
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Chilli Pasta
Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this delicious chilli pasta recipe:
- Heat the low fat cooking spray in a saucepan.
- Sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
- Add kidney beans with the chilli sauce and the chopped peeled tomatoes.
- Add the coriander and cumin. Bring to the boil and allow to simmer until cooked through.
- Meanwhile cook the fusilli as per the instructions on the packet.
- Season the chilli to taste with the salt and black pepper.
- Once the chilli is cooked, drain the pasta and divide it amongst the plates. Top the pasta with the chilli.
- Garnish with the freshly chopped parsley and parmesan cheese and serve.
Equipment
For Chilli Pasta you may need…
The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.
This means that if you click on it and then buy that product, I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
If you do click through, then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!
This is the set of pans I recommend for cooking with.
The set includes 16, 18, 20 cm saucepans, 1 x 14 cm milk pan and 1 x 24 cm fry pan.
The pans are suitable for all hobs including induction.
They come with a 1-year guarantee which can be extended to a 10-year warranty when you register the product.
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FAQ's
Do Chilli And Pasta Go Together?
Yes, chilli and pasta are a great pair! The heat from the chilli adds a kick that can elevate even the simplest pasta dishes. That spicy flavour pairs perfectly with the mild, comforting base of pasta, making a perfect balance together!
How Many Calories Are In Chilli Pasta?
There are 341 calories per serving.
What's The Best Way To Store Pasta With Chilli?
Store your chili pasta for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
How To Freeze?
Portion up into individual containers and freeze.
How To Reheat?
Defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight. Gently reheat in a saucepan on the stove.
Can I Make This Vegan?
Yes. Simply substitute the pasta and cheese for vegan friendly versions.
What Can I Serve With This Pasta Recipe?
To go with this chilli pasta recipe, I like to serve it with a tasty simple green side salad of lettuce and cucumber.
Other Popular Chilli Recipes You Might Also Like
📋 Chilli Pasta Recipe
The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.
This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).
If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!
Ingredients
- Low fat oil cooking spray
- 1 large onion peeled and chopped
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 120 g mushrooms sliced
- 1 in can red kidney beans in tomato chilli sauce
- 1 can chopped peeled tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 225 g whole wheat fusilli
- Salt and Pepper to season
- Freshly chopped parsley
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of a large saucepan about 5 times with the low fat cooking spray, heat the saucepan on a high heat until the oil bubbles, then turn the heat down slightly.
- Sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Add small amounts of hot water if they stick to the saucepan.
- Add the mushrooms and stir everything together until cooked.
- Add the red kidney beans with the chilli sauce and the can of chopped peeled tomatoes.
- Add the ground coriander and ground cumin and bring the mixture to the boil and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile cook the fusilli as per the instructions on the packet.
- Season the chilli to taste.
- Once cooked drain the pasta and divide it equally amongst 4 plates. Top the pasta with the chilli.
- Garnish with the freshly chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Label
Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.
Rate The Recipe
If you’ve made this chilli pasta recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.
Shaz
This is exactly the kind of recipe I was looking for to add my my healthy recipes for the start of a New Healthy Year for me, thank you. So many other lovely recipes too. Can't wait to try them all. Shaz x.
Neil
Thank you so much, Shaz! I'm so happy this recipe is just what you were looking for. Wishing you a fantastic start to your New Healthy Year! Hope you enjoy all the recipes.
Michelle
Such a fantastic idea pairing chili with pasta! I'd never thought to put the two together -- now I've gotta make a batch of chili! 😀
Neil
Thank you so much Michelle! 😊 Chilli and pasta make such an amazing flavourful combination. I hope you like it when you get a chance to try it!