Pasta With a Kick: Make Penne all’Arrabbiata Like an Italian Pro
If you like your pasta with a little attitude, Penne all’Arrabbiata is about to become your new weeknight hero. Hailing from Rome, this fiery dish gets its name from the Italian word “arrabbiata,” meaning “angry” — a nod to the bold heat of crushed red pepper flakes infused into garlicky tomato sauce.
Simple, spicy, and incredibly satisfying, it comes together in under 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients. Plus, it’s perfect for meatless Mondays or a quick romantic dinner with a glass of wine.
🍅 Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand or blended
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but highly encouraged)
🥄 Instructions
Boil the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
Infuse the oil
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1–2 minutes, just until the garlic is fragrant and golden — don’t let it burn.
Simmer the sauce
Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stir, and let simmer for 10–15 minutes. Season with salt to taste and stir occasionally as the sauce thickens.
Combine & finish
Add the drained penne to the sauce. Toss to coat evenly, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Let everything meld together for another 1–2 minutes.
Serve it hot
Plate your spicy masterpiece, top with chopped herbs and freshly grated Parmesan if desired. Buon appetito!
📦 Amazon Must-Haves for the Perfect Penne Arrabbiata
- 🍝 Penne Pasta – Go for bronze-cut, high-quality durum wheat for that al dente texture.
- 🍅 San Marzano Tomatoes – Sweet, rich, and authentically Italian.
- 🧄 Garlic Slicer or Mandoline – Ensure thin, even garlic slices for deep flavor.
- 🔥 Red Pepper Flakes – For that signature spicy kick.
- 🫙 Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Choose a cold-pressed Italian variety for best results.
- 🍳 Nonstick Skillet or Sauce Pan – Great for low-and-slow simmering.
- 🧀 Parmesan Cheese Grater – Nothing beats freshly grated Parm on top.
❤️ Why You’ll Love It
Penne all’Arrabbiata is proof that simple ingredients can yield powerhouse flavor. It’s vegan-friendly (just skip the cheese), pantry-friendly, and endlessly satisfying. The heat level is adjustable, the cook time is short, and the end result tastes like it came straight from a Roman trattoria.