Description
This easy Penne Arrabbiata recipe features a bold and spicy tomato sauce combined with fragrant garlic and fresh herbs. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for vegetarians and adaptable for added proteins or veggies. Enjoy a classic Italian dish that balances heat and heartiness with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g penne pasta
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 400g fresh tomatoes, chopped or 1 can (14oz) crushed tomatoes (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Toppings (optional)
- Plant-based parmesan (plant-based), grated
Instructions
- Cook the Penne Pasta: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water and cooking the penne pasta until al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well but save a cup of pasta water to loosen the sauce later if needed.
- Sauté the Garlic and Peppers: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing just until fragrant and golden to release their rich essence.
- Prepare the Spicy Tomato Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and pepper. Let everything simmer gently to develop a rich, vibrant sauce that balances spice with tang.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the cooked penne into the skillet, tossing well to coat every piece of pasta. Use saved pasta water to thin the sauce as needed for a silky finish.
- Garnish and Serve: Take the dish off the heat and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and plant-based parmesan (plant-based) before serving to add a fresh crunch and creamy note.
Notes
- Use quality tomatoes: Opt for ripe fresh tomatoes or high-quality canned crushed tomatoes for a naturally sweet sauce.
- Adjust heat carefully: Add red pepper flakes little by little until you reach your desired spiciness.
- Don’t overcook the garlic: Burnt garlic turns bitter, so sauté it just until golden.
- Reserve pasta water: It helps marry the sauce and pasta perfectly without thinning out flavors.
- Fresh herbs matter: Adding parsley or basil at the end keeps their flavors bright and vibrant.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Penne Arrabbiata, spicy pasta, vegetarian pasta, Italian dish, quick dinner, plant-based parmesan (plant-based), garlic pasta
