This Jamie Oliver Cheat’s Homemade Pappardelle with Quick Tomato Sauce is a simple and spicy recipe, which uses fresh lasagne sheets and red chilli. It’s a no-fuss take on the classic, ready in about 25 minutes.
Jamie Oliver Cheat’s Homemade Pappardelle with Quick Tomato Sauce Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely sliced
- 1/2–1 fresh red chilli, halved, deseeded and finely sliced
- A small bunch of fresh basil, leaves picked
- 1 x 400g can good-quality chopped tomatoes
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 250g fresh lasagne sheets
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve
How To Make Jamie Oliver Cheat’s Homemade Pappardelle with Quick Tomato Sauce
- Start the sauce: Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and chilli, and fry until lightly golden.
- Add basil and tomatoes: Toss in most of the basil (it will sizzle), then add the chopped tomatoes. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. If desired, pass through a coarse sieve for a smoother texture.
- Season the sauce: Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Keep the sauce warm.
- Make the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. On a floured surface, cut lasagne sheets into thick strips to create pappardelle.
- Cook the pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook for a few minutes until just al dente. Drain, reserving a bit of cooking water.
- Combine and serve: Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce. Add reserved water if needed to loosen the sauce. Top with grated Parmesan and reserved basil leaves. Serve hot.

Recipe Tips
- Can I use dried pasta instead of lasagne sheets?
Yes, but fresh lasagne sheets give a better texture and cook faster. - How spicy is this recipe?
It depends on the amount of chilli used. Start with half and adjust to taste. - What if I don’t have fresh basil?
Substitute with dried basil or leave it out, though fresh gives the best flavor. - Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the tomato sauce can be made in advance and reheated. - How to make the sauce smoother?
Simply pass it through a coarse sieve or blend it for a smoother finish.
What To Serve With Homemade Pappardelle
This pasta pairs beautifully with light sides and crusty breads:
- Garlic bread
- Simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Grilled chicken or fish
- Antipasto platter
How To Store Homemade Pappardelle with Tomato Sauce
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freeze: Not recommended due to the texture of fresh pasta.
Pappardelle with Tomato Sauce Nutrition Fact
Calories: 591 kcal
Fat: 16.2g
Saturates: 2.2g
Sugars: 10g
Salt: 0.7g
Protein: 17.6g
Carbohydrates: 99.9g
Fibre: 5.2g
FAQs
Can I use regular pasta instead of making pappardelle?
Yes, tagliatelle or fettuccine would be great alternatives.
Why use lasagne sheets for pappardelle?
They’re a quick hack to create thick, fresh pasta ribbons without needing a pasta machine.
How to stop the garlic from burning?
Keep the heat at medium and watch closely—remove from heat if it browns too fast.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely, just scale up ingredients accordingly.
Is this suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, as long as the Parmesan used is vegetarian-friendly.
Jamie Oliver Cheat’s Homemade Pappardelle with Quick Tomato Sauce
Description
A simple, spicy tomato sauce tossed with fresh homemade pappardelle cut from lasagne sheets easy, fast, and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat olive oil, cook garlic and chilli until golden.
- Add basil and tomatoes, simmer 5 minutes.
- Season the sauce and keep warm.
- Cut lasagne sheets into strips.
- Boil pasta until al dente, drain and reserve some water.
- Stir pasta into sauce, loosen if needed, and serve with Parmesan and basil.
Notes
- Using fresh lasagne sheets is a quick way to enjoy homemade pasta without a pasta machine.
