Description
This Easy Penne Arrabbiata recipe is a quick and flavorful Italian pasta dish featuring perfectly cooked penne tossed in a spicy, tangy tomato sauce made with simple ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes, it delivers bold, vibrant flavors with a satisfying kick and is fully customizable to suit any taste or dietary preference.
Ingredients
Pasta
- Penne pasta, 400g (about 14 oz)
Sauce
- Extra virgin olive oil (natural), 3 tablespoons
- Fresh garlic cloves, 3 large, thinly sliced
- Crushed red pepper flakes, 1 to 2 teaspoons (adjust to taste)
- Fresh tomatoes, 4 large, chopped, or 1 can (400g/14 oz) crushed tomatoes (natural)
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), 1 tablespoon
- Salt, 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Black pepper, ½ teaspoon (freshly ground)
Finishing Touches
- Fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons chopped
- Plant-based parmesan cheese (plant-based), ¼ cup, optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving one cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency later if needed.
- Prepare the sauce base: In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil (natural) over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn the garlic. This creates the aromatic foundation of the sauce.
- Spice it up: Add the crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic oil. Stir briefly to release their heat and aroma. Adjust the amount based on your preferred spice level.
- Add the tomatoes and seasoning: Pour in the fresh chopped tomatoes or canned crushed tomatoes (natural). Stir in the vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly and develops a deep, tangy flavor.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss well to coat each piece evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency that clings perfectly to the pasta.
- Finish with parsley and cheese: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta. If using, add plant-based parmesan cheese (plant-based) for a creamy richness. Toss gently and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil (natural) to elevate the sauce flavor.
- Do not overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness; keep it golden and fragrant.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency for perfect cling.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes incrementally to suit your spice preference.
- Serve the dish fresh and warm for best taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Penne Arrabbiata, Spicy Pasta, Italian Pasta, Vegan Pasta, Quick Dinner
