Description
This Spicy Pasta Arrabbiata is a fiery Italian classic featuring a robust tomato sauce with garlic, cayenne chili, and red pepper flakes, perfectly tossed with al dente pasta and garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. It’s quick to prepare, packed with flavor, and ideal for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed or minced
- 1 fresh cayenne chili pepper, chopped (remove seeds to reduce heat)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomato
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 6–8 basil leaves, chopped
Pasta and Garnishes
- 8–12 ounces pasta of choice
- Freshly grated Parmigiano cheese
- Additional chopped basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-duty skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the edges turn golden. Then add the garlic, cayenne chili pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté these for about 30 seconds, just until the garlic edges start to turn golden. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season the sauce generously with salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat, partially cover with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, fill a large pot about two-thirds full with water and generously salt it. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the Arrabbiata sauce along with ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir in the chopped basil leaves and increase the heat to medium-high. Toss the pasta and sauce together vigorously for 2-3 minutes so the pasta absorbs the sauce and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and portion the pasta into serving bowls. Garnish with additional chopped basil or parsley and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the spicy, tangy flavors of this Italian classic.
Notes
- You can adjust the heat level by removing the seeds from the cayenne chili or reducing the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce and make it cling beautifully to the pasta.
- Fresh basil adds bright herbal notes; add more or less according to your preference.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
Keywords: Spicy pasta, Arrabbiata recipe, Italian pasta, Spicy tomato sauce, Garlic pasta, Easy dinner, Quick pasta recipe