Penne AllArrabbiata Spicy Sauce (Printable)

Penne pasta in a vibrant tomato sauce with garlic and chili for a bold, spicy flavor experience.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz penne rigate

→ Sauce

02 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
03 - 4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
04 - 1–2 tsp red chili flakes, adjust to taste
05 - 28 oz canned peeled whole tomatoes, crushed
06 - 1 tsp sea salt
07 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Finishing

08 - 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
09 - Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and red chili flakes. Sauté gently for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
03 - Add crushed tomatoes, sea salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
04 - Add drained penne to skillet and toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and coat pasta evenly.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley and drizzle with extra olive oil. Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in 30 minutes flat, which means you can go from "what's for dinner?" to a restaurant-quality meal before anyone gets too hungry.
  • The heat builds slowly as you eat, warming you from the inside out with just the right amount of kick.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about a dish this pure—no dairy, no pretension, just vibrant tomatoes and fierce garlic that tastes like Italy in a bowl.
02 -
  • Don't walk away while the garlic cooks in oil; the line between fragrant and burnt is about 30 seconds, and burnt garlic tastes acrid and ruins everything.
  • Reserve that pasta water before you drain—the starch in it is what binds the sauce to the penne, making each bite count.
  • This dish is best eaten immediately; leftovers get drier as they sit, though a splash of warm water and a stir can bring them back to life.
03 -
  • Cook the pasta 1 minute under the package time—it will finish gently in the sauce, soaking up flavor without going soft.
  • Never rinse your pasta after draining; that starch coating is your friend, helping the sauce cling to every surface.
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