Penne Arrabbiata is spicy, saucy, and so easy! The combination of penne noodles, spicy tomato sauce, and parmesan cheese is simply irresistible. But the best part is this Italian pasta recipe is ready in about 20 minutes.
Easy Penne Arrabbiata
Do you love Italian food? It’s basically all we’ve been cooking lately! As you may know, we’re in the middle of moving, so I’ve been seeking out recipes that are quick, easy, cheap, and flavorful! And you know what checks all of those boxes? Pasta!!! We love all varieties, but lately we’ve been extra keen on simple penne with spicy arrabbiata sauce!
We’ve been whipping it at least once a week, and serving it with a simple salad and easy baked meatballs. Extra crushed red pepper and red wine, too! It’s a simple meal that still feels so special!
Ingredients for Penne all’Arrabbiata:
- Penne Pasta
- Olive Oil
- Red Pepper Flakes (feel free to use a little less than the suggested amount for a less spicy sauce… or more if you love heat!)
- Garlic
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Tomato Paste
- Salt, Pepper, and Sugar
- Fresh Basil
And that’s really it!!! Just 10 simple ingredients!
How to make Pasta Arrabbiata:
Sauce: The first step is making the spicy tomato sauce! Drizzle 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add in the garlic and chili red pepper flakes and cook for a minute or so. Then stir in the tomato paste, then add the tomatoes. Toss in the salt, pepper, and sugar, and simmer on low for at least 15 minutes. While your sauce is simmering, boil your pasta!
Penne:Fill a large pot with water. Season with salt and bring the water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling salted water and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until al dente. Reserve a 1/4 cup of the salted water, before removing from heat. Drain the pasta.
Garnish:Stir in the cooked penne and serve warm! Garnish with plenty of grated parmigiano reggiano and slivered basil leaves. When it comes to this pasta, you can never have enough cheese and herbs.
Can I add protein to this sauce? Absolutely! Try adding grilled shrimp, chicken, or meatballs!
Can I double this recipe?
This spicy penne arrabbiata recipe is equally perfect for special occasions or just for when company comes over. Because it’s classic comfort food that’s always a crowd-pleaser! Plus, you won’t break the bank feeding a large crowd!
As written, this recipe makes 4 generous servings. So make sure to double this recipe if you’re serving more people. You can even triple it or quadruple it if you’re serving a really big group. And if you have any leftovers, you can always enjoy them for lunch the following the day.
What to serve with Penne all’Arrabbiata
This recipe has plenty of extra sauce (and my family LOVES carbs) so I often serve this some sort of bread. Below are a few favorites:
- Homemade Garlic Knots
- Herbed Ricotta Cheesy Bread
- Fluffy Rosemary Parmesan Biscuits
- Rosemary Focaccia
Spicy, saucy, and so easy… this penne pasta recipe is the full package! So the next time you’re craving pasta, skip the fancy Italian restaurant (or delivery) and whip up this spicy penne recipe instead. You’ll be enjoying restaurant quality Italian comfort food from the comfort of your own home within 30 minutes! If you’re a homebody like me… it doesn’t get much better than that!
More Pasta Recipes:
- Avocado BLT Pasta Salad
- One-Pan Tomato Basil Pasta
- Super Cheesy Kale and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Bake
IF YOU TRY THIS RECIPE FOR PENNE WITH ARRABBIATA SAUCE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW, AND DON’T FORGET TO SNAP A PIC AND TAG IT #BAKERBYNATUREON INSTAGRAM! SEEING YOUR CREATIONS SERIOUSLY MAKES MY DAY ♥
Penne Arrabbiata
Ashley Manila
Penne Arrabbiata is spicy, saucy, and so easy! The combination of penne noodles, spicy tomato sauce, and parmesan cheese is simply irresistible. But the best part is this Italian pasta recipe is ready in about 20 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, sliced very thin
- 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- (1) 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- (1) 16 ounce box penne
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and chili flakes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until garlic is fragrant and just starting to soften. Stir in the tomato paste.
Add in the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar and bring to a steady simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 15 minutes - stirring occasionally. In the meantime, make your pasta.
Fill a large pot with water and a dash of salt. Place over a medium-high heat and bring water to a rolling boil. Add penne and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Drain pasta well.
Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce. Add in the basil and stir well to combine.
Serve pasta warm, with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese!
Tried it and loved it?Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @Bakerbynature and by using the hashtag #BakerByNature
FAQs
One of the simplest and most well-known pasta sauces, arrabbiata consists of just tomatoes, garlic and dried red chillies (or pepperoncini). The dish is said to hail from the Lazio, and is most commonly eaten with penne as the ridges and holes of the pasta hold the sauce particularly well.
What is all arrabbiata sauce made of? ›
The main ingredients are peeled tomatoes, garlic, plenty of cayenne chili peppers, salt and extra virgin olive oil. Sometimes grated parmesan and pecorino romano cheese are added to the pasta.
What's the difference between arrabiata and marinara sauce? ›
However, they're not identical. For example, when you prepare spaghetti with marinara sauce on top, you'll probably notice that there's a sweetness to every bite. On the contrary, Arrabbiata sauce contains crushed red pepper flakes for a spiciness that contrasts marinara sauce.
Which is better arrabiata or alfredo? ›
What is the major difference between Alfredo and Arrabiata pasta? The alfredo pasta is made from cream, butter and cheese making it more creamy and less spicy. Arrabiata is made from hot garlic sauce, dried red chilies, herbs, tomatoes and garlic. It is spicy as compared to Alfredo pasta.
Why is it called Penne Arrabbiata? ›
Arrabbiata (or arrabiata) literally means “angry” in Italian, because the sauce in this dish is supposed to be “angry” spicy.
What's the difference between penne Pomodoro and Arrabiata? ›
The difference between Pomodoro and arrabiata is that arrabiata contains red chili peppers and is spicy compared to the mild flavor of Pomodoro sauce. Both sauces are tomato based and incorporate garlic and Italian spices.
What is arrabbiata sauce taste like? ›
It's got spice, but not a lot. If you don't love spicy food or you're sensitive to pepper flakes in particular (my husband is), this is the best jarred arrabbiata sauce out there. Still, the red pepper is there, along with lots of oil and a rich garlic flavor.
Is arrabbiata sauce very spicy? ›
My opinion is that arrabbiata has a far lighter spice level than most traditional hot sauces like Frank's Red Hot or Cholula. That's because the chili is not the focal point and is often dampened by the natural acids and sugars of the tomatoes, as well as aromatics like basil and oregano.
How do you use arrabbiata seasoning? ›
Arrabiata is a spicy Italian tomato sauce. Heat 2 teaspoons of this spice mix in a frying pan with olive oil. Add 2 tins of chopped tomatoes (425 ml) then reduce over a high heat for about 15 mins. Serve with penne Rigate or use as a sauce for pizzas.
What is Barilla Arrabbiata sauce? ›
Barilla's Arrabbiata sauce blends spicy chillies with ripe Italian tomatoes for a classic Mediterranean flavour. Prepared following an Italian recipe without added preservatives these tasty ingredients are cooked slowly to create a delicious rich sauce that hugs your favourite Barilla pasta perfectly.
With at least 8 Italian tomatoes in every jar, Barilla's Arrabbiata sauce is a delicious blend of spicy chillies and 100% authentic Italian ingredients. Made with no added preservatives, Barilla pasta sauce is cooked slowly to give a thicker and richer texture, and clings perfectly to your favourite Barilla pasta.
What is Alfredo sauce called in Italy? ›
Did you know that the term “Alfredo” is not used often in Italy? There are many different combinations of butter and parmesan similar to what we define using the name we recognize, but Italians call all of these combinations “al burro”.
What pasta shape goes best with arrabiata? ›
Penne is a great base pasta for holding sauces, which makes it good with bolognese, arrabbiata, ragu or baked cheese dishes.
What is the white sauce on pasta called? ›
White Sauce Pasta is simply cooked pasta mixed with a silky smooth & decadent white sauce made of milk, butter and flour. White Sauce also known as Bechamel Sauce has its origin from the Italian & French Cuisines.
What is spaghetti sauce with cream called? ›
Cream-Based Sauces
Alfredo sauce is typically served on fettuccine noodles and topped with vegetables, chicken or shrimp. Carbonara Sauce: Similar to Alfredo sauce, Carbonara sauce incorporates beaten eggs. This sauce is typically paired with spaghetti and topped with bacon or pancetta.
What does arrabiata pasta taste like? ›
Arrabiata sauce is a luscious and spicy tomato sauce made with fresh or canned tomatoes, dry red chili flakes, and lots of garlic. In Italian, arrabiata means angry, which is an apt name for this spicy red sauce. Arrabiata is usually served on penne pasta, though any pasta can be used.
What does arrabbiata taste like? ›
The Difference Between Arrabbiata and Marinara
These two sauces are both prepared with garlic, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. But marinara is sweeter in flavor versus arrabbiata which is meant to be spicier in flavor by using red pepper flakes in the sauce.
How spicy is Arrabbiata sauce? ›
My opinion is that arrabbiata has a far lighter spice level than most traditional hot sauces like Frank's Red Hot or Cholula. That's because the chili is not the focal point and is often dampened by the natural acids and sugars of the tomatoes, as well as aromatics like basil and oregano.
What is the difference between penne arrabiata and Bolognese sauce? ›
Bolognese sauce is a meaty sauce - usually with some chopped meat and pork in there. Arrabiata means angry in Italian and that “anger” is the spice. Arrabiata sauce is a fairly spicy sauce by Italian standards and not meaty as a Bolognese sauce. Arrabiata varies from a Marinara in spice level only.
Ingredients for Penne all’Arrabbiata:
