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Delicious Penne Arrabbiata Recipe Easy Spicy Tomato Sauce for Dinner

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A quick and easy Penne Arrabbiata recipe featuring a spicy tomato sauce with garlic and chili flakes, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 to 1.5 teaspoons red chili flakes (adjust to heat preference)
  • 28 ounces (800 grams) canned whole plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
  • Salt, to taste, plus extra for pasta water
  • A small handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: pinch of sugar if tomatoes are too acidic

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil using about 4 quarts (4 liters) of water with 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 10-12 minutes for al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 1-2 minutes).
  3. Add the sliced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and just turning golden. Be careful not to burn it.
  4. Stir in the red chili flakes and cook for another 30 seconds to infuse the oil with heat. Adjust the amount based on desired spiciness.
  5. Add the crushed canned tomatoes to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and deepens in flavor.
  6. Season the sauce with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of sugar if needed to balance acidity.
  7. When the pasta is just shy of al dente, reserve about ½ cup (120 ml) of the pasta cooking water and then drain the penne.
  8. Add the drained penne to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well over low heat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
  9. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
  10. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Keep garlic thinly sliced and cook on medium heat to avoid burning. Adjust chili flakes gradually to control heat. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if it thickens too much. Fresh parsley adds a bright finish. Salt pasta water generously for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Penne Arrabbiata, spicy tomato sauce, easy dinner, pasta recipe, garlic, chili flakes, Italian pasta, quick meal

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/delicious-penne-arrabbiata-recipe-easy-spicy-tomato-sauce-for-dinner/