If you’re craving a vibrant and fiery dish that’s unbelievably simple to whip up, this Easy Pasta Arrabiata Recipe is just what you need. Bursting with bold flavors from garlic, red pepper flakes, and rich tomatoes, this classic Italian sauce clings beautifully to penne pasta for a meal that feels both comforting and exciting. Whether you’re cooking on a busy weeknight or impressing friends with your quick culinary skills, this recipe welcomes everyone to enjoy a zesty, homemade experience in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of fresh and pantry staples makes this recipe a breeze to prepare. Each ingredient plays a vital role, bringing balance and brightness to the sauce’s spicy, tangy personality, while the pasta carries these flavors effortlessly to your plate.
- Olive oil: A fragrant and smooth base that sautés the garlic and carries the sauce’s flavor.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Adds that unmistakable aromatic punch and a touch of sweetness when cooked just right.
- Red pepper flakes: The star of the show, these give the sauce its signature heat and lively spirit.
- Finely chopped tomatoes (with juices): Provides the essential tang and natural sweetness, creating the sauce’s rich texture.
- Brown sugar (optional): Balances acidity and rounds out flavors subtly if your tomatoes are extra tart.
- Salt & pepper: Essential seasonings to bring all the elements together in harmony.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on top, it adds a salty, nutty contrast that finishes the dish perfectly.
- Uncooked penne: Its ridges and tubes are perfect for holding onto the spicy sauce blissfully.
How to Make Easy Pasta Arrabiata Recipe
Step 1: Heat the Olive Oil
Start by warming three tablespoons of good-quality olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. This fragrant oil is the foundation of the sauce, gently infusing the next ingredients with flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic
Once your oil is shimmering, toss in the minced garlic. Cook it for about a minute, making sure it softens without browning. This step is crucial to release garlic’s sweet, mellow notes without any bitterness.
Step 3: Add Spice and Tomatoes
Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes, then pour in the canned finely chopped tomatoes along with their juices. Stir in the optional brown sugar if you like a slightly sweeter touch. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently. Stir occasionally and let those flavors marry for roughly 15 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Step 4: Cook the Penne
While your sauce simmers, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add eight ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until it’s perfectly al dente—firm to the bite but tender.
Step 5: Season the Sauce
Taste your sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. Since the tomatoes can vary in acidity, don’t be shy to season generously—it will lift all the beautiful flavors.
Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Drain the pasta, reserving a splash of cooking water if you want to loosen the sauce a bit. Toss the pasta directly in the sauce, allowing every piece to soak up that spicy, garlicky tomato goodness. Finish with a generous shower of freshly grated parmesan cheese that melts enticingly over the top.
How to Serve Easy Pasta Arrabiata Recipe
Garnishes
Up your presentation by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley or basil leaves over the steaming pasta. These herbs add a wonderful pop of color and a fresh contrast that complements the heat. A few extra shavings of parmesan or a drizzle of good olive oil can add richness and shine.
Side Dishes
Easily pair this meal with a crisp green salad or some garlic bread for dipping into the spicy sauce. A simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette also balances the dish’s bold flavors beautifully with peppery freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For an extra special touch, try serving the pasta in individual shallow bowls with a small wedge of crusty bread on the side. Or layer it into a beautiful casserole dish for a cozy family-style presentation. You could even toss in roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for added texture and color.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Easy Pasta Arrabiata Recipe stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the sauce and pasta mixed to preserve the flavor, but if you’d like, store them separately to avoid the pasta soaking up too much sauce.
Freezing
You can freeze the sauce by itself in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Keep the pasta fresh if possible, as freezing cooked pasta can affect its texture. When ready, thaw the sauce overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your leftover pasta gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or olive oil to loosen the sauce. This helps keep the texture vibrant and saucy. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals, until hot throughout.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While penne is traditional and great for holding the sauce, you can swap in rigatoni, spaghetti, or even fusilli depending on what you have on hand or your personal preference.
How spicy is this pasta dish?
The heat level depends on how much red pepper flakes you add. This recipe uses about a teaspoon, which gives a noticeable but balanced kick. You can always adjust up or down to suit your spice tolerance.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Definitely. Simply skip the parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative, and you have a delicious vegan-friendly version that still packs a flavorful punch.
Is brown sugar necessary in the sauce?
Brown sugar is optional but handy if your canned tomatoes are particularly acidic. It helps mellow the acidity and rounds out the sauce’s flavor without making it sweet.
What’s the best way to prevent garlic from burning?
Cook the garlic on medium to medium-high heat and watch it closely so it softens lightly but doesn’t turn brown. You can also lower the heat if the oil seems too hot—burnt garlic will add bitterness to your sauce.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about pulling together this Easy Pasta Arrabiata Recipe — a few staple ingredients, minimal prep, and in less than half an hour, an exciting meal that feels like a celebration on your plate. I encourage you to dive in, enjoy the process, and savor every spicy, garlicky bite. It’s comfort and fire all in one dish, and I promise it will quickly become one of your weeknight favorites too!
Print
Easy Pasta Arrabiata Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Easy Pasta Arrabiata recipe offers a spicy, flavorful Italian classic made with a simple homemade tomato and red pepper flake sauce tossed with penne pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it delivers the perfect balance of heat and savory notes, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 (13.5 fluid ounce) cans finely chopped tomatoes with juices
- 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Add the olive oil to a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat.
- Sauté the garlic: Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute, making sure it doesn’t brown to avoid bitterness.
- Add spices and tomatoes: Stir in the red pepper flakes, canned tomatoes with juices, and brown sugar if using. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes to develop flavor.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package directions.
- Season the sauce: Adjust the sauce by seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, adding enough salt to bring out the flavors.
- Combine and serve: Drain the pasta and toss it with the simmered sauce, adding a little pasta water if desired to loosen the sauce. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Using brown sugar in the sauce is optional but helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic as it will turn bitter and affect the sauce’s taste.
- Adding pasta water when tossing the pasta with the sauce helps the sauce cling better to the noodles.
- For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them completely.
