Authentic Spicy Tomato Penne PastaVeg
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this classic, fiery Italian pasta dish. This quick and easy recipe transforms simple pantry staples—crushed tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and a spicy kick from fresh red cayenne chili and red pepper flakes—into a bold, restaurant-quality meal. Perfectly tossed with al dente penne and finished with a touch of parmesan and fresh parsley, it's the ultimate spicy tomato pasta for heat lovers. Fast, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
400 g Penne Pasta
1 tbsp Salt
Arrabbiata Sauce:
4 tbsp Olive oil
3 cloves Garlic (minced)
Red cayenne pepper chilli : 1, finely chopped (with seeds)
1 tsp Red Chilli Flakes
800 g Tomatoes (puréed)
1 tsp Kosher salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Sugar
Optional Serving Suggestions:
For garnishing Processed Cheese
For garnishing Parsley
Instructions
Step 1— Preparation
1
Finely mince the garlic cloves.
2
Finely chop the fresh red cayenne pepper chilli (keep the seeds if you want more heat, or remove them to reduce the spice level).
Step 2— Making the Sauce
1
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 10 seconds.
3
Add the chopped fresh chilli and the dried chilli flakes. Continue to cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is lightly golden.
4
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes. You can rinse the empty cans with a splash of water and add that to the pot as well.
5
Season with salt and black pepper, and stir the mixture well.
6
Let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the base from catching.
7
Taste the sauce around the 10-minute mark; if it tastes too sour, stir in the optional sugar.
Step 3— Cooking the Pasta
1
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt.
2
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
3
Just before the pasta is finished, carefully scoop out 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water and set it aside.
4
Drain the pasta.
Step 4— Finishing and Serving
1
Once the sauce has thickened after its 15-minute simmer, add the cooked pasta into the pot.
2
Pour in about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles.
3
Toss everything together well over low heat. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
4
Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
4 servings per recipe
