Pasta with Arrabbiata Sauce. A quick and simple spicy tomato based pasta sauce.
Arrabbiata sauce is a spicy tomato based sauce. My sauce is made with just five simple ingredients. 7 if you split hairs and count salt and pepper. I consider salt and pepper essential ingredients and those fall under my “gimme” column.
You can pair arrabbiata sauce with just about any pasta you like or have on hand. For this sauce, I tend to lean towards shorter pastas like penne or this super fun casarecce pasta pictured here.
What does Arrabbiata mean?
Arrabbiata means angry or mad in Italian. The sauce isn’t actually mad or angry, in this case mad or angry refers to the spice level of the sauce. Spice is nice in my book. I jokingly refer to pasta with arrabbiata sauce as pissy pasta. You can borrow that if you like.
The spice in this sauce comes from chili peppers. You can tailor the level of heat to your taste buds. I like my spice level where it gives a nice little punch of heat and then goes away. I’m generally not a fan of anything that is so spicy it’s going to set my mouth on fire, make me cry and drink 10 glasses of water in one sitting.
You do you though.
Can you substitute Red Pepper Flakes for Chili Pepper?
Absolutely. If you don’t happen to have a chili pepper you can substitute 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper chili flakes. OR you could even substitute a few tablespoons of chili infused olive oil. A tip, if you use the chili infused olive oil cut back on the amount of regular extra virgin olive you use unless you like your food on the all caps SPICY side.
It really makes our day when you make our recipes. IF you do please SHARE & TAG us on Instagram #bellalimento
Want more pasta INSPO? Try …
SPICY CAPRESE PASTA SALAD
Pasta with Arrabbiata Sauce
Pasta with Arrabbiata Sauce
Ingredients
- kosher salt
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 small onion - minced
- 6 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 small fresh chili pepper - seeded, minced
- 3 cans - 14.5 ounces tomatoes - chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound pasta
- flat leaf Italian parsley or basil - roughly chopped
Instructions
- Place a pot of generously salted water onto boil.
- Into a sauce pan add: olive oil, onion, garlic and chili pepper. Cook over medium heat until onion and garlic are softened and fragrant. Careful not to burn garlic.
- Add tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens. Check for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if necessary.
- WHILE sauce is cooking, when water comes to a boil add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain.
- Add drained pasta to sauce pan. Toss to combine. Remove from heat.
- Garnish with parsley or basil if desired.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Susan says
Mmmm! I adore spicy food. I can’t wait to give this a try. Beautiful photos as always!
Heather @ Heather's Dish says
I love that it means angry…pissy pasta is hilarious!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Looks delicious! Once in a while I just need something nice and spicy and this looks great 😀
Georgia Pellegrini says
Ooh, this looks so fresh and wonderful.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Paula your photography is just beautiful!
The dark wooden plank underneath the food is just gorg. I want it! 🙂
Paula says
Thanks Averie! That’s actually my kitchen table : )
Sasha @ The Procrastobaker says
I used to adore these Chicken Arrabbiata Paninis I used to get every lunchtime from a local cafe but then they sadly stopped selling them…long story short, i would DEFINITELY love this and its so easy sounding too that i really hope to give it a go 🙂 thank you for the lovely recipe and i will let you know how it turnsout if i do!
Katrina says
This sounds so wonderful. Great pasta recipe!
brandi says
i love quick pasta dishes like this at this time of year. Looks delicious!
Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal says
I love your spicy sauce, so simple and flavorful 🙂
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
My husband would love this sauce. Is it weird that I don’t like penne? I know it’s just a shape.. but I go for bowties every time. Love the sauce though!
Cajun Chef Ryan says
This looks like one spicy dish with that chili pepper.
Mrs. Jen B says
What I wouldn’t give for a big ol’ bowl of that right now! And I’m with you – I don’t need my mouth to burn off. Just a hint of spiciness is best!
Melissa says
my friends ordered ‘angry’ pasta when we were at dinner the other night and raved about it. i sent them your recipe so they can make some of their own! 🙂
Aggie says
Oh this is my kind of pasta Paula!! I love the spice and look at that fresh tomato sauce. Delicious!
Gina @ Skinnytaste says
Yum! I love simple!!
Jeanette says
I love spicy food so this sauce is right up my alley – your tomato sauce looks gorgeous!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Delicious! I love how you’ve add spicyness into this pasta recipe. I recently bought some organic pasta sauce, and it’s a little sweeter than I would like. Adding red pepper flakes surely would get it to taste to my liking 🙂
Paola Westbeek says
Sounds fantastic! Simplicity can be so tasty! It’s just a matter of using good products.
Maria says
Simple yet so delicious!
Katie says
Found this on TasteSpotting. It was delicious and so easy. I will definitely make this again.
marla {family fresh cooking} says
Beautiful fresh bowl of summer that captures summer flavors perfectly, but of course is great year round.
juliana says
ciao bella!
OMG! this dish look so good! a perfect comfort dinner!
Jerry says
Nice, simple and delicious. I love a good spicy tomato sauce 🙂
ALison says
Yum…I had this tonight with cheese tortellini. I’m a garlic fiend so I minced it and left it in the sauce. AWESOME and SPICY and GARLICKY and YUM.
Matthew "mmWine" Horbund says
Im a fan of pasta, and love it a little spicy. I’ll give it a try1!
Valeria says
Just an advice from a fellow italian: real recipe don’t use parsley! Good job nontheless 🙂