Pasta & Grains

Penne all'Arrabbiata

Penne all'Arrabbiata
A fiery tribute to Roman cuisine, this Penne all'Arrabbiata features al dente pasta tossed in a robust sauce of San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, and red chili flakes. It is a bold, 'angry' dish that perfectly balances heat with the richness of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Prep

10m

Cook

20m

Serves

4


1 Ingredients

Qty Ingredient
14 oz 400 g Penne Rigate
14 oz 400 g San Marzano Canned Tomatoes (crushed)
4 tbsp 60 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 cloves 3 cloves Garlic Cloves (thinly sliced)
2 tsp 4 g Dried Red Chili Flakes
0.25 cup 15 g Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley (chopped)
1 tsp 5 g Sea Salt

2 Method

1

Step 1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the penne rigate according to the package instructions until it is just shy of al dente (about 2 minutes less than the recommended time).

2

Step 2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red chili flakes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is golden and fragrant, taking care not to let it burn.

3

Step 3. Pour the crushed San Marzano tomatoes into the skillet. Season with a pinch of salt. Simmer the sauce over medium-low heat for about 10-12 minutes, allowing it to thicken and the flavors to meld.

4

Step 4. Before draining the pasta, reserve approximately 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.

5

Step 5. Add the drained penne directly to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water. Increase the heat to medium-high and toss the pasta vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce clings to the penne.

6

Step 6. Remove from the heat. Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while steaming hot.

💡 Chef's Tips

  • ·

    Always use 'Penne Rigate' (ridged penne) as the ridges help the spicy sauce cling to the pasta.

  • ·

    The quality of the olive oil is paramount; use a fruity, high-quality extra virgin oil for the most authentic flavor.

  • ·

    If the sauce becomes too thick, use more reserved pasta water to emulsify it into a silky coating.

  • ·

    Do not add cheese if you want to stay strictly traditional, but a dusting of Pecorino Romano is a delicious non-traditional addition.

? FAQ

What does 'Arrabbiata' mean?
Arrabbiata literally means 'angry' in Italian, referring to the spicy heat generated by the red chili flakes.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just reheat it in a pan before adding freshly cooked pasta.
Is Penne all'Arrabbiata vegan?
Yes, this traditional recipe is naturally vegan as it contains no meat or dairy products.
How can I make it less spicy?
Simply reduce the amount of red chili flakes to 1/2 teaspoon for a milder flavor profile.

Videos

Comments (0)

Be the first to leave a comment.

Sign in to leave a comment.