Spaghetti Arrabbiata
Spaghetti arriabiata is a classic Italian pasta that’s full of flavor and a little bit of spice. The name means “angry spaghetti,” but don’t worry—it’s more delicious than dangerous! With just a few simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes, you can make a sauce that’s bold, bright, and ready in no time. It’s the perfect quick meal for busy nights or when you just want something comforting and full of flavor.
The best part about this dish is how easy it is to make your own. Want it extra spicy? Add more chili flakes! Prefer it mild? Go easy on the heat. It tastes amazing on its own, but you can also serve it with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or your favorite plant-based protein. Simple, quick, and so tasty—spaghetti arriabiata is the kind of meal you’ll want to make again and again.
If pasta is your love language, you won’t want to miss out on this decadent and silky pasta made in one pot and these super creamy, dairy-free stuffed shells. Looking for more homemade pasta sauce recipes? Check out our sun-dried tomato sauce and authentic Italian pasta sauce for more deliciousness!
Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Arrabbiata Sauce Recipe
Homemade tomato sauce is like an edible hug. No matter the season, mood, or reason, simple red sauce is the perfect blanket to wrap up any meal for instant comfort food. Arrabbiata especially has several things going for it:
- It’s Got That Fiery Personality. Spaghetti arrabbiata isn’t your average pasta—it’s got a little attitude. The chili flakes bring just enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming your taste buds. It’s the perfect dish when you want something bold, lively, and full of flavor.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor. You only need a handful of pantry staples to make it—tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. That’s it! Yet somehow, those basic ingredients come together to create magic in a pan.
- Totally Customizable Heat Level. The beauty of arrabbiata is that you’re in control of the fire. Love it spicy? Add more chili flakes. Want a gentler kick? Tone it down a notch. Either way, it’s always delicious.
- Tastes Fancy Without the Fuss. It looks like something you’d order at a cozy Italian café, but it’s ridiculously easy to make at home. A drizzle of olive oil and some fresh parsley on top, and you’ve got a dish that feels special with zero stress.
- Plays Well With Others. Spaghetti arrabbiata is the ultimate team player. It pairs beautifully with a crisp salad, crusty bread, or even some plant-based sausage for extra protein. It’s versatile, crowd-pleasing, and just plain fun to eat.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
When there are so few ingredients in a recipe, every single one of them counts! Here’s what you need to know to maximize your efforts:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Adding richness and a fresh, subtly peppery flavor, high-quality extra virgin olive oil is a must for any well-stocked kitchen.
- Garlic – When in doubt, add more garlic. There really is no such thing as too much! 6 cloves is roughly 2 tablespoons minced, but don’t be afraid to increase the quantity to taste.
- Tomatoes – Fresh tomatoes at the height of summer cannot be beat. It doesn’t matter if they’re homegrown heirlooms or common beefsteak; all tomatoes are welcome here. If you want to whip up arrabbiata sauce out of season, you can also use canned.
- Red Pepper Flakes (or Crushed Chilies)- The spice is alright with conventional dried red pepper flakes, but truly comes alive with crushed chili peppers in oil, which are ideal for spicing up Italian dishes. You could even use fresh peppers if you’d like!
- Pasta – Spaghetti is king for this family-friendly weekday meal, but you could just as easily dress it up with more fancy, artisanal shapes. Always cook them al dente for a satisfying, toothsome bite.
How To Make Arrabbiata Sauce
Making spaghetti arrabbiata is super easy and doesn’t take much time at all. With just a few simple ingredients and some heat from chili flakes, you’ll have a bold, flavorful pasta that tastes straight out of Italy. Helpful Tip: To test if the oil is ready, wet your hand under water and drop a little water into the pot—if the oil sizzles when the water touches it, it’s ready!
Step 1: Prepare the Pot – Use a large pot or Dutch oven, which holds heat well and cooks evenly, while having high sides so you can stir easily without fear of splashing.
Set over medium heat and add the Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Wait until the oil is shimmering before adding your vegetables.
Step 2: Sauté Veggies – Once the oil is hot, add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened. These take the longest time to cook which is why they need to go in first.
The garlic and oregano should be added next, cooking until highly aromatic.
Step 3: Start the Sauce Simmering – Add the tomatoes and seasonings, stirring well to incorporate and deglaze the pan.
That means you should use your spatula to scrape up any of the golden-brown aromatics that may be sticking to the bottom; that’s where all the flavor is! Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Reduce Heat & Stir – Uncover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue to simmer gently for 30 minutes. Don’t walk away though, since you’ll need to stir periodically to make sure it cooks evenly without burning on the bottom.
Once thick and rich, it’s time to blend. You can use an immersion blender to keep it all in one pot, or transfer to an upright blender or food processor if that’s what you had. Either puree it for a completely silky-smooth sauce or keep it slightly chunky for more texture. Season to taste and keep warm while you cook the pasta.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta – In a separate large pot, cook the spaghetti (or linguini, penne, gnocci, or any pasta of choice), following the directions on the package.
Serve sauce over al dente pasta and top with additional fresh herbs, if desired. Enjoy hot!
Want to learn a fun way to test if your spaghetti is ready? Take a strand of cooked spaghetti and throw it against the wall. If it sticks, it’s ready!
Serving Tips and Suggestions for Arrabbiata Sauce
Spaghetti arrabbiata is all about bold flavor and a touch of heat, so a few simple serving tricks can make it even better. From pairing it with the right sides to adjusting the spice just how you like, these easy tips help you get the most out of every bite:
- Dip It Like an Italian – As a dipping sauce for breadsticks or fresh baked bread (like this spelt bread).
- Snack Attack Upgrade – Serve as a dipping sauce for vegan mozzarella sticks or meatless chicken nuggets.
- Pizza with a Punch – Spread on pizza instead of plain pizza sauce (add a little homemade chipotle seasoning for extra spice!).
- Soup in a Snap – Blend with cashew cream for an instant spicy tomato bisque soup.
- Marinate with Attitude – Use as a marinade for tofu.
- Sub Sandwich Superstar – Slather over submarine sandwiches (it’s perfect on this vegan meatball sub!)
- Veggies with a Kick – Drizzled over roasted veggies, grilled vegetables, or sheet pan veggies.
More Italian Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
FAQs
Arrabbiata sauce is a spicy Italian tomato sauce that’s full of flavor and personality. It’s made with simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and red chili flakes. The name “arrabbiata” actually means “angry” in Italian, which refers to its fiery kick. It’s the perfect sauce for anyone who loves pasta with a little heat!
This homemade arrabbiata pasta sauce lasts about 4 to 5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just let it cool completely before freezing, and reheat it gently on the stove when you’re ready to use it again.
Visit Magnifico Food, an online platform designed to bring the highest quality foods straight from Italy to American kitchens. They ship to your door and guarantee quality, convenience, fair pricing, and lots of Italy-inspired recipes and inspiration to support your cooking journey.
Super simple! Just replace traditional pasta with a gluten-free version—choose from rice, bean, potato, or seed versions. Follow the cooking instructions on the package for best results.
Listen while you cook! Tune into my podcast, The Plant Powered People Podcast, while you’re cooking, folding laundry, or taking a bath. It may just change your life!
Spaghetti Arrabiata (Perfectly Spicy)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 6 large cloves garlic, roughly chopped or minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 container tomato puree, 18-28 ounces will work
- 1½ cups roughly chopped fresh tomatoes, any type
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or 2 teaspoons chili peppers crushed in oil, adjust to taste and heat preference
- 1 16-ounce package, Spaghetti (or penne, linguini, gnocchi, or your favorite pasta)
- Fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped, to taste
- Fresh basil, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, add olive oil and turn on medium-high heat.
- Once oil is hot, add the diced onion and red bell pepper and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano and sauté for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add the tomato puree, fresh tomatoes, salt, pepper, dried basil, and red pepper (flakes or crushed in oil). Cover and simmer 10 minutes.
- Uncover and simmer for 30 more minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the Arrabiata sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the sauce to your desired consistency. I like my sauce partially blended, keeping some chunks for texture, but you can also fully blend the sauce so no chunks remain. Taste and season with more salt and spice, if needed. Keep sauce over low heat until ready to serve.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and toss with olive oil.
- Ladle Arrabiata sauce over the cooked pasta and sprinkle parsley (and basil if desired) over the top.
Notes
Nutrition
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Leave a Comment
Love this type of pasta sauce it’s soo good!
This is a great recipe, thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Glad you liked the recipe. Having a quick and spicy spaghetti recipe on hand is so helpful 🙂
So glad to hear it! It’s now a staple in our weekly meal plan 🙂
Wow!!! What dreams are made of 😀 I need to check out Magnifico Foods and these amazing Italian ingredients!
Don’t they look awesome?
I can’t get enough of this, I will never get bored of it! Yum!
Yes! We sometimes switch it up by adding either grilled soy chorizo, Beyond meat crumbles or red lentils. They’re ALL good! lol.
My favorite type of spaghetti! I love anything spicy and this recipe is SO good!
my kind of spaghetti! this dish was sooo good!
It is! Totally agree. Yummy 😀
I love how this pasta sauce is the perfect amount of spicy!
I sometimes make it even spicier! lol.
Yum! Such a great way to spice up Pasta Night 🙂
Easy to follow and make, and SO delicious! If you like some spice to your pasta then this is the right meal!
Sometimes I add some roasted red peppers, too! Super good.
I absolutely loved this vegan arrabiata sauce; it was delicious and as spicy as I like it! Thanks for the recipe!
the most perfect vegan spaghetti ever! this recipe has been me go-to easy weeknight recipe!
love a good spicy pasta dish! turned out so amazing!
Tasty tomato sauce and perfect for pastas
I’ve been getting the Arrabiata sauce from Trader Joe’s for years, it’s the best jar pasta sauce ever and is vegan, but they’re discontinuing it! So I’m sooo glad to now be able to make it myself!