A home cook has sparked a fierce debate among social media users by sharing his ‘three levels of tomato pasta’. In a TikTok post, user @letskwoowk presented three unique methods for preparing pasta in your kitchen, asking provocatively, “How many Italians will I upset?”
The first level involves using a pre-made canned sauce, but with a twist. The cook advises cooking the sauce in a pan with olive oil and basil, then adding al dente pasta and pasta water to elevate the dish. The second level starts with olive oil and garlic, followed by cherry tomatoes and salt. The tomatoes cook down in their juices, creating a rich, intense sauce with a naturally sweet tomato taste, which the cook claims is his go-to method.
The third and most controversial version involves starting with garlic and hot chili flakes in olive oil, then adding the pasta directly into the pan to create ‘Killer Spaghetti’. The idea is to slightly burn the pasta and cook it with a tomato broth in the pan, resulting in a dish with a unique texture and intense aroma.
The TikTok clip has garnered over 435,900 likes and 1,600 comments, with reactions ranging from calling the third method ‘criminal’ to some endorsing it as the correct way to make tomato pasta, including Italians who approve of the approach.
Overall, the debate around these three pasta cooking methods highlights the passion and diversity of opinions when it comes to a beloved dish like pasta. Whether you prefer a traditional approach or are open to trying new and unconventional techniques, there’s no denying the universal love for a comforting bowl of pasta.