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Penne all'Arrabbiata (Italian Spicy Tomato Pasta)
Penne all’Arrabbiata is a classic Roman pasta dish known for its bold, spicy flavor. Made with penne rigate tossed in a simple tomato sauce flavored with garlic and chili pepper, it's one of the most iconic examples of Rome’s straightforward, ingredient-driven cuisine.
Ingredients
- 350 g penne rigate - 12 oz
- 400 g whole peeled tomatoes - 14 oz, preferably San Marzano, fresh or canned
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 1-2 fresh red chilli peppers or dried red chili flakes - to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley - finely chopped
- fine salt - to taste
- grated Pecorino Romano - optional, for serving
Instructions
- If using fresh tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, then peel off the skins and cut the tomatoes into small pieces.If using canned whole peeled tomatoes, drain off some of the excess liquid, then chop them or crush them coarsely with a fork.
- Peel and lightly crush the garlic clove. Finely chop the fresh chili pepper and parsley, keeping the parsley aside for later.
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over low to medium-low heat. Add the garlic and chili and sauté gently for about 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and season with salt. Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the garlic clove before adding the pasta.
- Meanwhile, cook the penne rigate in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following the package instructions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta cooking water.
- Transfer the penne directly to the skillet with the arrabbiata sauce. Toss over medium heat for about 1 minute, adding a small splash of reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Turn off the heat, add the chopped parsley, and serve immediately. Add grated Pecorino Romano at the table, if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 100gCalories: 477kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 13gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 1758mgPotassium: 519mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1216IUVitamin C: 49mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg
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