Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (2024)

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.

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (1)

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!

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (2)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!

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (3)

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.

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (4)

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (5)

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.

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (6)

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

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (7)

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

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (8)

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 - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (9)

Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (10)

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.

5 from 7 votes

PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

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

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Penne Arrabbiata - An easy recipe for Penne Arrabbiata! (2024)

FAQs

What is penne arrabbiata made of? ›

Penne Arrabiata – A fiery Italian tomato sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and garlic, tossed together with penne pasta. It's rich and comforting. Plus it's naturally vegetarian!

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 is the meaning of the word arrabiata? ›

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 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.

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.

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.

What pasta shape goes with arrabiata sauce? ›

Penne is a great shape for medium to heavy sauces such as amatriciana (tomato, bacon and chilli), pasta bake, arrabbiata (tomato, chilli and basil), sausage and cream, and beef ragu.

What is the difference between tomato sauce and arrabiata sauce? ›

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.

Why does arrabiata mean angry? ›

Arrabbiata (double r and double b) means angry. And it refers to the fact it is spiced up with chili pepper. It usually comes with penne. The problem with dishes like these, that have very few ingredients, is that there is no way of hiding mistakes.

What is the difference between arrabiata and penne alfredo? ›

Alfredo is a creamy and rich pasta dish typically made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, while arrabiata is an Italian tomato sauce-based pasta sauce typically made with garlic, red chili peppers, and tomatoes.

Who invented arrabiata? ›

When in Rome Arrabiata is a light marinara or red sauce that originated in the Lazio region of Central Italy. The official origins of modern Arrabiata are obscure, but it appears to have been perfected in Rome in the 1920s by chef Antonio Cecchini, whose restaurant was appropriately called "Le Arrabbiate."

What is Barilla Arrabbiata? ›

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 the difference between puttanesca and arrabiata pasta? ›

Like Puttanesca, Arrabiata Sauce is made with tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic and hot chili pepper flakes. The difference is in the olives and anchovies, which add another dimension to Puttanesca pasta sauce.

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.

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.

Is red sauce pasta and arrabiata same? ›

Any pasta sauce that has tomato as a star is a tomato (aka pomodoro) sauce. While both are a tomato-based pasta sauce, arrabbiata (Italian for 'angry') is made using chilli peppers. You don't necessarily need to make it really spicy though, that part is totally up to you!

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