Arrabbiata Sauce Recipe (Spicy Spaghetti Sauce)
Bold, simple, and full of flavor, this Best Arrabbiata Sauce Recipe (Spicy Spaghetti Sauce) combines sweet San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, and red pepper flakes for the perfect balance of heat and richness. This classic Italian sauce delivers a fiery kick while staying fresh and vibrant with minimal ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an easy, restaurant-quality sauce perfect for weeknight pasta dishes.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti or pasta of choice
- 2 cloves garlic minced or crushed
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes or whole chili pepper
- 1 28-ounce can San Marzano Tomatoes whole
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt to taste
- 8 leaves fresh basil torn (can also use fresh Italian parsley)
- Optional- Freshly grated Parmigiano cheese or parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, whole chili peppers, or chili pepper flakes, and heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the canned tomatoes. Crush the whole tomatoes with the side of a wooden spoon. You can also break them up before adding them to the pan. Cook on low for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens—season with a pinch of salt.
- Bring water to a boil in a 6 qt. pot. Season with salt. Add the spaghetti and give it a quick stir with your pasta tool.
- Drain the spaghetti when cooked to al dente according to package instructions, drain, and toss quickly in the saucepan. toss the Spaghetti Arrabiata Pasta for 3 to 4 minutes until the spaghetti is well coated with the pasta sauce. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter and serve garnished with fresh basil and cheese, if desired. Serve hot!
Notes
- Cook Pasta Perfectly: Generously salt the boiling water so the pasta is seasoned from the inside out, and cook just until al dente for the best texture.
- Finish in the Sauce: Transfer the pasta directly to the pan and toss it with the warm sauce, allowing it to finish cooking and fully absorb the flavors.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Save a cup of the starchy cooking water and add a splash as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling beautifully to the pasta.
Nutrition
Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 575mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 517IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 3mg
