Prawn Tomato Pasta (with Sambal Tomat)
If your usual tomato pasta feels a bit… flat, this is the upgrade you need.
By adding sambal tomat, you get a deeper, richer flavour — slightly spicy, slightly tangy, and packed with that unmistakable chilli kick.
It’s simple, quick, and perfect for an easy weeknight meal that actually tastes exciting.
🧄 What You’ll Need (Serves 2)
- 200g spaghetti (or pasta of choice)
- 200g prawns (peeled & deveined)
- 2–3 tbsp sambal tomat
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 onion (sliced)
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes (or fresh blended tomatoes)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for extra richness)
- 1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Olive oil
- Pasta water (about 1/2 cup reserved)
- Optional: chilli flakes, parsley, parmesan
🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook your pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your spaghetti until al dente.
Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Sauté the base
In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add garlic and onions, and sauté until fragrant and slightly softened.
3. Cook the prawns
Add the prawns and cook until they turn pink (about 1–2 minutes each side).
Remove and set aside to avoid overcooking.
4. Build the sauce
In the same pan, add sambal tomat and let it cook for about 1–2 minutes to release its aroma.
Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir well.
5. Balance the flavours
Add sugar, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Bring it all together
Add the cooked pasta and a splash of pasta water into the sauce.
Toss everything together until well coated.
7. Add prawns back in
Return the prawns to the pan and mix gently.
8. Serve
Top with chilli flakes, parsley, or parmesan if you like. Serve hot.
🔥 Why Sambal Tomat Works So Well
Sambal tomat isn’t just spicy — it adds depth.
You get:
- A natural chilli heat (not overwhelming)
- A tangy tomato base that blends perfectly into pasta sauces
- That rich, slow-cooked flavour without actually spending hours cooking
It basically does half the work for you.
💡 Tips & Variations
- Less spicy? Use 1–2 tbsp sambal instead of 3
- More creamy? Add a splash of cooking cream at the end
- No prawns? Swap with chicken, mushrooms, or keep it vegetarian
- Extra umami? Add a bit of butter at the end for a richer finish
🍝 Final Dish
This is the kind of pasta you make once… and then keep craving.
It’s familiar, but with a bold twist — and honestly, it might just ruin plain tomato pasta for you.
Try it out and tag us when you do 👀
Follow @honshitsu.kitchen.sg for more recipes, or visit honshitsu.com.sg to get your sambal tomat.