Spaghetti Arrabbiata

Add a bit of spice to pasta night with this quick and easy spaghetti arrabbiata recipe. Spaghetti is tossed in a simple homemade sauce made from crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, seasonings, and a pinch of crushed red pepper for some heat for an effortless weeknight dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes.

Note: that links to products you find in this post are Amazon affiliate links which means I do make a small amount of money when you click and make purchases. 

Looking to change up pasta night?

This spaghetti arrabbiata pasta recipe is a must-try! It's a great solution for busy weeknights because it takes under 30 minutes to make and uses mostly pantry staples.

Not only is this pasta arrabbiata quick and easy, but it's also very budget-friendly!

Serve it with a simple beetroot salad or steamed asparagus and some breadsticks and give your weekly pasta night a little kick of spice!

If you love this easy pasta recipe for dinner, you might also enjoy this Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad or a bowl of Chicken Pastina Soup.

Jump to:

• Ingredients for Spicy Spaghetti
• How to Make Pasta Arrabiatta
• Spaghetti Arrabbiata Variations
• Storage
• Expert Tips and FAQS
• More Easy Dinner Recipes
• Spaghetti Arrabiata

Ingredients for Spicy Spaghetti

Spaghetti arrabbiata relies on mostly pantry staples or easy ingredients found at any grocery store.

• Spaghetti noodles: Use your favorite brand.
• Extra virgin olive oil: I highly recommend using high-quality oil for this spicy pasta sauce.
• Onion: I like using a sweet onion, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla for this recipe, but white is fine too.
• Garlic: Fresh is best!
• Crushed red pepper: Red chili flakes are the secret to giving it some spice.
• Italian seasoning blend: For flavor, omit if using seasoned tomatoes.
• Crushed tomatoes: I like using crushed tomatoes over prepared sauce for more control over the flavor.
• Petite diced tomatoes: The smaller diced pieces work best in this sauce, or you could give regular diced and either chop them up a bit or go for a chunkier sauce.
• Fresh basil leaves: For the sauce and as a garnish.
• White granulated sugar: Just a touch to balance out the heat
• Salt and pepper: Helps round out the flavors.

See the recipe card for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions

I make this recipe regularly exactly as written, but here are some changes you could make if you need to adjust the recipe.

• Spaghetti noodles: Linguini, fettuccine, or angel hair instead of spaghetti.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Any alternative cooking oil can be used but olive oil gives the best flavor for Italian sauces.
• Sweet onion: White onion or shallots can also be used.
• Garlic: Fresh is best, but in a pinch prepared minced garlic or garlic powder will work just fine.
• Crushed red pepper: You can use a pinch of cayenne in place of the crushed red pepper if desired.
• Italian seasoning blend: You can use one-half teaspoon of each parsley, basil, and oregano.
• Crushed tomatoes: You can use tomato sauce or prepared marinara if desired.
• Petite diced tomatoes: Regular tomatoes can be used but give them an extra chop before adding them to the skillet.
• Fresh chopped basil: I love the addition of fresh basil in this recipe! It adds a fresh zip to the recipe and a touch of sweetness but you can still make the recipe as written without it if you don't have any.
• White granulated sugar: Swap it with any sugar alternative.

Equipment

You don't need any fancy equipment to make this recipe. All you need is:

• Large stock pot for boiling water
• Strainer for straining the pasta
• Deep skillet or dutch oven for making the sauce
• Measuring cups and spoons for the sauce
• Large Spoon or spatula to stir the sauce

How to Make Pasta Arrabiatta

Now that we have gathered all of the ingredients and equipment we need to make the recipe, let's get started!

1. Start by boiling the pasta. I like to use an extra-large stock pot and lightly salt the water when I cook pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta to the water and cook according to the package directions or until the pasta is al dente.

TOP TIP: Boiling is the first opportunity you have to season the pasta, so take advantage! Add a few pinches of salt to the water and you will thank me later!

While the pasta is cooking, it's time to start the sauce.

• 

• 

2. In a deep frying pan or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. I like to use olive oil for this recipe but you can use your preferred cooking oil of choice. Add the onion to the heated oil and toss it around a bit. You want the oil to coat the onion and cook until the onion is transparent and tender.
3. Once it's almost done, add the garlic and seasonings to the skillet. By cooking it for just a minute or two, we are going to have a nice fragrant base for the sauce and give the sauce a great structure.

TOP TIP: When cooking garlic in the skillet, you want to add it and cook for a minute or two because overcooked garlic can get bitter.

4. Once the garlic is fragrant, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped basil, sugar, salt, and pepper, and then stir the sauce until everything is combined. I like to scrape the bottom of the pan a bit at this point and get any delicious onion or garlic into the sauce.
5. Next, reduce the heat until it reaches a nice steady simmer and put a lid over the pan.

TOP TIP: It's important to keep the heat low so that the liquid doesn't evaporate too much.

6. You will want to cook the sauce on a low simmer for about 20 minutes. As long as the temperature is consistent, you can cook it a little less or longer if needed.
7. Once the sauce is ready, add the fresh basil and give it a good stir. The fresh basil is optional but I highly recommend it! It adds a fresh and sweet flavor to the sauce and really takes it over the edge.

8. Once the basil is added, you can remove it from heat and add the desired amount of sauce to the pasta. I like to toss all the pasta in a bit of the sauce and then serve it with extra sauce on the top.

Spaghetti Arrabbiata Variations

This spaghetti arrabbiata is ALWAYS a winner! But if you are looking to change things up, you can try these variations for making spicy pasta!

• Make it extra spicy: Add extra crushed red pepper or a pinch of cayenne for some extra heat.
• Make it meaty: Traditional arrabbiata does not contain meat, but you can add cooked ground beef, ground turkey, or pork to the sauce if you want to add some protein.
• Make it chunky: If you like extra chunky sauce, you can add an additional can of tomatoes and chop the onion extra large.
• Make it with extra veggies: Do you love veggies? Add your favorites to this sauce for an extra punch of flavor, texture, and nutrition.

Storage

Got leftovers? Lucky you!

Fridge: You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to store the sauce separate from noodles and make fresh noodles if you are planning to serve this meal for more than one night. Store the sauce in an airtight container to keep it extra fresh.

Freezer: You can also freeze extra sauce (no noodles!) for 2-3 months in a freezer-safe container.

Expert Tips and FAQS

I am so excited I had the chance to share a new variation of spaghetti with you! When making this recipe, remember:

• Cook the pasta to al dente for the ultimate dinner perfection.
• Salt the pasta water to flavor the pasta before the sauce is added.
• Adjust the heat by reducing or increasing the red pepper flakes. You can add more or less to suit your taste.
• Add the basil AFTER the sauce is done cooking for a fresh and sweet burst of flavor in the sauce.

More Easy Dinner Recipes

Did you try this recipe?  Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!