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This Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta is such an easy and comforting dish! Golden Penne pasta covered in a delicious homemade arrabbiata sauce. The sauce has a kick of heat from red chili flakes, perfect for a hearty and warming meal throughout the winter months!
Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta is simply satisfying. Sometimes simple is best, especially when it comes to food! It’s a great vegetarian dish that’ll please a hungry crowd. Feel free to add in some protein and more veggies, or keep it simple if you’re in a rush!
If you’re looking for more pasta dishes, why not also try my Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta!
Why you’ll love this Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta
- A delicious spicy tomato sauce. Dial it up or down, but this satisfying tomato garlic sauce has a lovely kick to it from the chili flakes.
- A hearty vegetarian main. A filling meal, perfect for those chilly winter months.
- An easy pasta recipe. Made with a handful of kitchen staples, this recipe is a breeze to whip up and goes from pantry to table in just 30 mins.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Penne Pasta
- Tomato Paste
- Olive Oil
- Crushed Tomato Sauce
- Garlic
- Salt & Pepper
- Chili Flakes
- Parmesan Cheese
How to make this Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta
- Prep your pasta – Cook the pasta al dente, according to package instructions.
- Cook your aromatics – In a non stick skillet with oil, add in garlic, chili flakes and black pepper.
- Make your sauce – To the skillet, add tomato paste, sauté for 2-3 mins. Then add the tomato sauce, mix and simmer for 5 mins.
- Add pasta – Mix in the cooked pasta to the sauce, cook for 2-3 mins.
- Garnish, serve and enjoy!
Recipe notes and tips
- Stir your pasta as soon as you drop it in the pot, to avoid the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Be sure you use enough water in your pot so your pasta can move freely.
- Salt your pasta water well, this will properly season the noodles.
- You want to drain your pasta enough to remove most of the water, but don’t let drained pasta sit and dry off. If you do, as it cools, the starches will firm up and the pasta will stick together.
- Taste your sauce as you go! If it’s too acidic you can add a pinch of sugar to balance things.
- Adjust the heat to your liking. You can dial up or down the chili flakes.
- This recipe only needs a few ingredients, ideally opt for good quality olive oil and tomatoes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and shaved parmesan.
- You can also add in some fresh, torn basil leaves.
FAQ’s
What is Arrabbiata Pasta?
Pasta Arrabbiata is a traditional Italian dish made traditionally with penne pasta covered in Arrabbiata sauce. This yummy sauce is made simply from olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and red pepper flakes for the satisfyingly sweet and spicy taste.
Arrabbiata translates to “angry” representing the spiciness of this sauce, but feel free to dial up or down the angry (i.e. the chili flakes!).
What’s the best pasta to use?
I used penne pasta, it works great! But you can of course go for all kinds of pasta, the best are shapes with lots of nooks and crannies, to catch all that delicious sauce!
Variations to this Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta
The great thing about this pasta dish is its versatility. You can keep it simple or you can add in all kinds of goodies. Here’s some ideas:
- Spicy Arrabbiata spaghetti: substitute spaghetti noodles.
- Add protein: ground beef, chicken, shrimp, chorizo, sausage, meatballs
- Add vegetables: onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, summer squash, peas, carrots.
Can I freeze the sauce?
This is a great make ahead sauce, you can make a big batch then serve it up with pasta when ready. Make the arrabbiata sauce and allow it to cool completely. Store the sauce in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. Reheat it in a sauce pan on low heat. It’s best to make noodles (and any other ingredients, like veggies) fresh for serving.
Other delicious pasta recipes
- Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta
- Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
- Creamy Chicken Tortellini Pasta
- Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it and share it with your friends and family!
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Spicy Arrabiata Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. penne pasta, uncooked
- 1/2 cup tomato pasta
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, large size, minced
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1.5 tsp. chili flakes, (or less if you like is less spicy)
- 3 tbsps. fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3/4 tsp. black pepper
- 14 oz. crushed tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shaved for garnishing
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Preserve 1 cup pasta water
- Mince the garlic and chop the parsley.
- In a non-stick skillet, heat up the olive oil on medium heat. Add in the the garlic, chili flakes and black pepper and cook for about a minute, tossing them around with a wooden spoon. Do not let them burn.
- Add in the tomato paste and sauté with the garlic for another 2-3 minutes to cook the tomato paste very well.
- Once that's done add in the tomato sauce, salt and mix well. Cover and let the sauce simmer on medium-low heat for 5 minutes
- The pasta should be cooked now. Drain and pour them directly into the tomato sauce. Mix and cook for a couple more minutes then add in the parsley. Cook again for 2-3 more minutes. If you want your sauce less thick, add in the pasta water when you add the parsley.
- Once the pasta is done cooking, remove and garnish with shaved parmesan and fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
Notes
- Stir your pasta as soon as you drop it in the pot, to avoid the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Be sure you use enough water in your pot so your pasta can move freely.
- Salt your pasta water well, this will properly season the noodles.
- You want to drain your pasta enough to remove most of the water, but don’t let drained pasta sit and dry off. If you do, as it cools, the starches will firm up and the pasta will stick together.
- Taste your sauce as you go! If it’s too acidic you can add a pinch of sugar to balance things.
- Adjust the heat to your liking. You can dial up or down the chili flakes.
- This recipe only needs a few ingredients, ideally opt for good quality olive oil and tomatoes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and shaved parmesan.
- You can also add in some fresh, torn basil leaves.
I prepared both the Arriabata and the lemon pesto pasta. Both were so easy and sooo delicious 😋.
Happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for the review.