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Home » Pasta and pasta sauces

Spicy arrabbiata sauce recipe

19/05/2020 by Judith Leave a Comment

Spicy arrabbiata sauce is a tomato based pasta sauce seasoned with chilli which can be used in a variety of pasta dishes such as penne pasta, lasagne or cannelloni.

A bowl of arrabbiata sauce with a chilli.

This homemade sauce can be prepared using common kitchen ingredients. It is quick and easy to make, tasty and cheap too. What could more could you want?

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

It is useful for pasta dishes such as penne pasta, cannelloni and lasagne. It can also be served alongside dishes such as nut roast, nut cutlets and vegetarian sausages.

This easy pasta sauce recipe is sufficient for 2 servings as part of a main course but can easily be adjusted to make a different amount.

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion - use a medium sized onion. This will add an element of sweetness to your homemade sauce.
  • 4 cloves garlic - use fresh garlic to add an aromatic flavour to the sauce.
  • 1 large red chilli - you could substitute chopped dried chilli or chilli flakes.
  • One 400g tin chopped tomatoes - tinned tomatoes (canned tomatoes) are ideal for this recipe. If you substitute fresh tomatoes these would need to be peeled and chopped and you may need to add a little tomato purée to thicken the sauce.
  • A few fresh basil leaves - these can easily be omitted if you don't have any.
  • Dash of olive oil - ideally use extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for maximum flavour.
  • Salt and pepper - season to suit your taste.
Labelled ingredients for arrabbiata sauce.
Key ingredients for spicy arrabbiata sauce

How to make spicy arrabbiata sauce

Chop the onion and finely chop the garlic and chilli.

Heat the oil in a large pan and sauté the onion, garlic and chilli.

Cooked chopped onion, garlic and chilli in a pan.
Gently cook the onion, garlic and chilli

Add the chopped tomatoes and salt and pepper and stir.

Homemade arrabbiata sauce in a pan.
Add the tomatoes, season and cook

Bring to the boil and simmer without a lid for about 20 minutes to cook and allow the flavours to mingle.

Tear a few fresh basil leaves and stir into the sauce.

Blend using a hand blender to create a smooth sauce.

Tips

  • For a chunky pasta sauce there is no need to blend it.
  • If you plan to freeze some or all your sauce use containers suitable to use in a microwave so that the sauce can be defrosted in a microwave if you want to use it at short notice.

How to use arrabbiata sauce

  • Combine this spicy sauce with freshly cooked penne to make penne arrabbiata for a quick and easy meal.
  • Use as an alternative to a traditional tomato sauce for baked pasta dishes such as cannelloni or lasagne.
  • Drizzle over a tray of roast vegetables to add colour and flavour.
  • Serve alongside dishes such as nut roast, vegetarian sausages or sweet potato burgers.

How to store

  • Your homemade sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • It can also be frozen. The sauce can be defrosted at room temperature or in the microwave at half power.

FAQs

What is arrabbiata sauce?

Arrabbiata sauce is an Italian sauce made using tomatoes, onion, garlic, chilli and basil. This arrabbiata sauce recipe shows you how you can make this popular sauce using tinned tomatoes.

What does arrabbiata mean?

The word arrabbiata is derived from the Italian word for "angry" due to the heat and spiciness of the chillis.

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A bowl of arrabbiata sauce with a chilli.

Spicy arrabbiata sauce

Spicy arrabbiata sauce is a tomato based pasta sauce seasoned with chilli which can be used in a variety of pasta dishes such as penne pasta, lasagne or cannelloni.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2
Calories 167 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 red onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 large red chilli
  • 400 g tin tomatoes
  • 1 handful fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • pinch salt
  • pinch pepper

Instructions
 

  • Chop the onion and finely chop the garlic and chilli.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan and gently cook the onion, garlic and chilli until soft.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes, including the juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir.
  • Bring to the boil and simmer without a lid for about 20 minutes.
  • The sauce is then ready to serve, or can be blended to create a smooth sauce is preferred.

Notes

How to store
  • Your homemade sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • It can also be frozen. The sauce can be defrosted at room temperature or in the microwave at half power.
Tips
  • For a chunky pasta sauce there is no need to blend it.
  • If you plan to freeze some or all your sauce use containers suitable to use in a microwave so that the sauce can be defrosted in a microwave if you want to use it at short notice.
How to use arrabbiata sauce
  • Combine this spicy sauce with freshly cooked penne to make penne arrabbiata for a quick and easy meal.
  • Use as an alternative to a traditional tomato sauce for baked pasta dishes such as cannelloni or lasagne.
  • Drizzle over a tray of roast vegetables to add colour and flavour.
  • Serve alongside dishes such as nut roast, vegetarian sausages or sweet potato burgers.

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 269mgPotassium: 766mgFiber: 5gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 699IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Chilli, Sauce, Tomatoes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Welcome to Veggie Ideas! I'm Judith and I created this site out of a love of good food, home cooking and a desire to share recipes so that others can enjoy them too. 

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