Ever since finding out that I was going to get to meet my favorite chocolatier yesterday, and tour his magical chocolate factory, I admit that I have had chocolate on the brain. (And…the oompa looma theme song. Go figure.) :)
But when it comes to chocolate, I feel like I always use it to make chocolate desserts and sweets. So as a challenge, I decided to get creative and try to come up with a new savory dish. In the past few years, I have really grown to love adding a hint of cocoa powder to my fresh tomato salsas. Thus, I began to wonder if chocolate might have the same effect in a tomato sauce.
And thus, this Pasta with Dark Chocolate Marinara Sauce was born.
And it is good. Like, really good.
I ended up adding actual chopped dark chocolate to the sauce. It’s not overpowering at all — just a subtle, warm hint that rounded out the acidity of the tomatoes perfectly. I kept the sauce simple with some fresh basil, but if you’re into spicy, I think this would also be fantastic in a spicier sort of diablo sauce. However you make it, it is really simple, vegetarian and vegan, and is sure to be the talk of your dinner table.
And of course, it’s an excuse to add even a little more chocolate to your life. :)
Pasta with Dark Chocolate Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dried pasta (I used linguine)
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 1 ounce dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- optional garnishes: additional julienned fresh basil and Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta in generously-salted water al dente according to package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, and saute for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining ingredients, and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain the water. Then serve the pasta with the sauce ladled on top, or stir together the pasta and sauce and serve with additional garnishes, if desired.
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
WOW! Chocolate in an entree – love it!
Chocolate and pasta?! I think you just combined two of my greatest loves.
I love it in chili too!
gotta say, I am so curious about this! I have never added chocolate to a savoury dish! Bit of a weird concept for me, I guess I will have to try it! You were do lucky to visit the chocolate factory! I was swooning over your instagram pics!
OK, this is further proof that chocolate is just about always appropriate. So exciting about meeting your favorite chocolatier too! It’s only appropriate to sing Willy Wonka all day long…and now it’s in my head too!
PS. I love your board that’s in these photos. Where’d you find it?
The color of this sauce looks to deep and rich!! I love that!!
I love adding chocolate to my chili so why not my pasta sauce! I am all in!
The color of that sauce is absolutely gorgeous. I’m trying to imagine what the chocolate-infused sauce would taste like, and have concluded that I’m just going to have to make this for the family! Market research. :)
I am SO intrigued! This sounds amazing – and I bet there are some amazing pizzas that could be made with it too!
Love chocolate in savory dishes – I don’t do it enough!! Sounds so good.
This sauce sounds sooooo good! Lovely colour too!