Arrabbiata Sauce – Sweet Potato Soul by Jenné Claiborne

This spicy pasta Arrabiatta recipe will add a bold twist to your pasta nights! Made with rich tomato sauce, aromatic garlic, herbs, and the spicy warmth of crushed red pepper flakes over tender penne, this dish is an easy-to-make gourmet experience. Plus, it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare!

This recipe was written on October 24, 2021. It was updated with additional recipe information on June 10, 2024.

In Italian, arrabbiata means ‘angry’, which reflects the spicy, fiery spirit of this pasta all’arrabbiata. If you love spicy pasta dishes, wait until you dive into this! The luscious arrabbiata sauce is known for its heat and robust taste – a combination of tangy-sweet tomato sauce, fresh garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, extra virgin olive oil, a hint of dried oregano, and a touch of sugar. Tossed with perfectly tender penne noodles, this vibrant dish will wow your taste buds!

This arrabbiata sauce recipe only requires five minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking time, making it ideal for busy weeknights. The lively flavors are also sophisticated enough to serve at dinner parties. Top spicy arrabbiata pasta with my optional Walnut Parmesan recipe below to elevate your meal–a nutty, savory garnish that adds a delightful crunch and umami depth of flavor. 

For more vegan pasta recipes, try my avocado pesto pasta, pasta puttanesca, or spring veggie pasta.

Ingredients

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use high-quality cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil to add the richest flavor to the spicy pasta sauce recipe. In a pinch, substitute regular olive oil or another neutral oil.

Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves add a pungent, aromatic flavor essential to the arrabbiata sauce. Choose firm, plump cloves with no green shoots. Alternatively, use pre-minced garlic for convenience. 

Tomato Sauce: Canned tomato sauce provides a rich, smooth base for the sauce. Choose a high-quality sauce with no salt added to better control the flavor. You can also use crushed or whole canned tomatoes, blended until smooth.

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Add the signature heat to the spicy marinara sauce. Adjust the spice level to suit your taste. Use fewer red pepper flakes for a milder flavor or substitute for a pinch of cayenne pepper or fresh chili peppers. 

Dried Oregano: Gives the sauce an earthy note that complements the sweetness of the tomatoes. For the best flavor, ensure your dried oregano is aromatic and within its expiration date, or substitute with fresh oregano leaves if available. 

Cane Sugar: A small amount of cane sugar enhances the overall flavor of the spicy spaghetti sauce. You can also use white or brown sugar sugar if desired. 

Sea Salt: Enhances the flavor of the arrabbiata pasta. Adjust to taste as needed. Kosher salt can also be used.

Penne Pasta: This spicy pasta recipe traditionally uses this shape, as the ridges hold the sauce well. Cook according to package directions. Alternatively, use another short pasta shape, like rotini, cavatelli, or ziti, if preferred. 

Optional – Walnuts: Adds a nutty, rich flavor to the optional walnut parmesan recipe. Toast the nuts for enhanced flavor, or use them raw. Substitute with other nuts like almonds or cashews if desired. 

Optional – Nutritional Yeast: Gives the walnut parmesan a cheesy, umami flavor, making it a great vegan substitute for cheese. Look for it in the health food section of your grocery store. 

Optional—White Miso Paste: Miso adds a salty, umami depth to the walnut parmesan. It is typically found in the refrigerated section, next to the tofu and other fermented foods.

How to Make Arrabbiata Sauce

• Sauté Aromatics. Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and a generous pinch of red chili flakes. Sauté, stirring frequently, until the garlic turns slightly golden. Be careful not to burn it!

• Add Tomato Sauce. Stir in the tomato sauce. Add the rest of the crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and sugar. Stir well.

• Simmer Sauce. Bring the sauce to a low simmer. Leave the saucepan lid slightly ajar and simmer on medium-low for 20 minutes or until it turns deep red. Season the sauce to taste with salt.

• Combine Sauce with Noodles. Boil the pasta in heavily salted water according to the package directions. Drain well. Toss the hot pasta with half of the arrabbiata sauce. Add additional sauce as desired to achieve your desired sauce-to-pasta ratio.

• Optional: Prepare Walnut Parmesan. Place the walnuts, nutritional yeast, and miso pasta into a food processor. Pulse until a nutty crumble texture forms. 
• Garnish. Top penne arrabbiata with walnut parmesan if desired, and serve hot!

Recipe Pro-Tips

• Use high-quality ingredients. Choosing high-quality ingredients will make all the difference in this penne all’arrabbiata! Select a good extra virgin olive oil, use fresh garlic, and opt for a quality brand of canned tomatoes without added preservatives.
• Heavily salt the pasta water. Add a generous amount of salt to the pasta water. This enhances the flavor of the pasta itself and gives it a tender texture for the best experience.
• Cook the pasta al dente. Following package instructions, cook the pasta al dente, or until firm to the bite for the best texture. This will prevent the noodles from becoming mushy when mixed with the sauce. 
• Mind the garlic. Be careful not to burn the garlic when sautéing, which can make the sauce bitter. Sauté on medium heat until golden brown, stirring frequently. 
• Adjust the heat. Start with a small amount of crushed red pepper flakes and add more to taste. You can always increase the heat as you go!
• Simmer the sauce for depth. Be sure to allow the sauce to simmer for at least 20 minutes, partially covered. This helps the flavors meld and develop a richer, deeper taste and thicker texture. 
• Garnish. Elevate the dish by garnishing it with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley and walnut parmesan before serving. 

Recipe Variations

Below are a few ways to embellish this recipe: 

• Extra veggies: Roast or sauté additional vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, rabe, or kale for a heartier sauce with extra nutritional value. 
• Protein: Add your favorite brand of vegan ground meat for a delicious meaty texture, flavor, and extra protein. 
• Herbs: To add a fragrant, herbaceous twist, add fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, or parsley towards the end of simmering the sauce. 
• Creamy: Stir in a splash of coconut cream or your desired vegan milk alternative towards the end of cooking the sauce to add a delicious creaminess that mellows the heat. 
• “Cheesy”: To make this dish extra cheesy, add the walnut parmesan recipe or vegan shredded cheese before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this fiery arrabbiata as a light lunch or serve as a full dinner spread paired with some of our favorite recipes below:

Storage Directions

• Refrigeration: Store the leftover sauce and pasta noodles separately. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it for up to 5 days. Toss cooked pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
• Freezing: Transfer cooled sauce to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. Store cooked pasta in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. 
• Reheating: Reheat refrigerated sauce and noodles with a splash of water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warm. Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight, or use the microwave defrost setting before heating on the stovetop. Reheat frozen noodles by dropping them in boiling water for a few minutes or microwave until warmed through.

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