This penne arrabbiata is a fiery Roman pasta made with garlic, crushed red chili, tomatoes, and olive oil, finished with fresh parsley or basil. It is bold, simple, and ready in about 25 minutes using pantry staples. The name says it all. In Italian, arrabbiata literally means “angry,” a nod to the sauce’s spicy heat, and it comes from the Lazio region around Rome (Wikipedia).
Key Takeaways
- Blooming the chili and garlic in oil spreads the heat through the whole sauce.
- You control the spice by adjusting the chili flakes.
- The recipe is naturally vegetarian and easy to make vegan.
What Is Penne Arrabbiata?
Penne arrabbiata is penne pasta in a spicy tomato sauce. Typically, it uses just five core ingredients: tomatoes, garlic, chili, olive oil, and parsley. As a result, it is quick, affordable, and full of flavor.
Moreover, the ridges on penne rigate catch the sauce perfectly. Therefore, it is the classic pasta shape for this dish.
Penne Arrabbiata Ingredients
- Penne rigate: Above all, the ridges hold the sauce.
- Crushed tomatoes: Ideally, use good canned San Marzano tomatoes.
- Garlic and chili flakes: Together, they bring the signature heat.
- Olive oil: In addition, it carries the flavor of the chili.
- Parsley or basil: Finally, fresh herbs add brightness.
How to Make Penne Arrabbiata
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post. In short, here is the method.
1. Bloom the aromatics. First, warm the olive oil with the garlic and chili flakes over medium-low heat for 2 minutes, until fragrant.
2. Simmer the sauce. Next, add the tomatoes and salt and simmer for 15 minutes, until thickened.
3. Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, cook the penne until just al dente.
4. Toss. Finally, add the pasta to the sauce with a splash of pasta water. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes, then finish with herbs.
Tips for the Best Penne Arrabbiata
- Do not brown the garlic. Otherwise, it turns bitter.
- Adjust the heat. For example, start with 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes and add more to taste.
- Finish in the pan. In fact, tossing the pasta in the sauce helps it absorb flavor.
- Add cheese if you like. Similarly, pecorino romano adds a salty finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is penne arrabbiata very spicy?
It is meant to be spicy. However, you can easily make it milder by using less chili.
Can I add protein?
Yes. For instance, grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage all work well.
Can I make the sauce ahead?
Absolutely. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for 3 months.
Final Thoughts
Overall, penne arrabbiata is a fiery, satisfying dinner made from pantry staples. It is proof that simple Italian cooking is hard to beat.
For a milder tomato pasta, try our spaghetti pomodoro or our spaghetti carbonara.
AuthorEmma food bloggerDifficultyBeginnerPenne tossed in a spicy sauce of garlic, chili flakes, crushed tomatoes, and olive oil, finished with fresh herbs. Serves 4.
Sauce
Pasta
Bloom the aromatics. Warm the olive oil with the garlic and chili flakes over medium-low heat 2 minutes until fragrant, without browning.
Simmer. Add the tomatoes and salt. Simmer 15 minutes until thickened.
Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, cook the penne until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Toss. Add the penne to the sauce with a splash of pasta water and toss 1–2 minutes.
Serve. Finish with herbs and pecorino, if using.
4 servings
1 plate
- Amount per serving
- Calories520
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 17g22%
- Saturated Fat 4g20%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 6mg2%
- Sodium 950mg42%
- Total Carbohydrate 77g29%
- Dietary Fiber 7g25%
- Total Sugars 9g
- Protein 17g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
Sauce
Pasta
Sources
- Wikipedia, Spicy Roman tomato sauce: meaning and origin
