Penne all’Arrabbiata – easy & quick!

Penne arrabbiata is one of the best Italian pasta dishes that is easy, quick, full of flavor, and budget-friendly! All you need is a handful of inexpensive cupboard essentials and 20 minutes of prep time.

Published in July 2021/updated in June 2026

I want to share this recipe with you all again because it’s just great for busy weeknights. Together with my ricotta pasta, pasta with olives, and cream cheese pasta, penne arrabbiata was one of my favorite staples as a student.

Penne arrabbiata, correctly spelled “penne all’arrabbiata” (angry penne), is a simple spicy pasta dish extremely popular in Italian cuisine, and quite often served also in trattorias: small rustic restaurants you’ll find throughout Italy.

The recipe is a no-brainer: the pasta sauce is made with canned tomatoes cooked with olive oil, garlic, and plenty of chili flakes. Next, the sauce is tossed with the pasta and fresh parsley or basil. Boom, dinner is ready!

And it’s budget-friendly, a breeze to whip up, and super simple. But don’t mistake simple for bland, because that delicious tomato pasta sauce and spicy kick pack so much flavor that you’ll come back for more!

This is a keeper, my friends, easy and so satisfying at the end of a long day, especially if it’s served with some crusty panini bread or olive focaccia.

List of the ingredients

• Pasta
• Canned whole tomatoes (or diced tomatoes)
• Garlic
• Chili flakes (same as crushed red pepper)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh parsley or fresh basil
• Salt & pepper

How to make penne arrabbiata

(Note: this is a quick description; the full recipe is at the bottom of the page.)

• Gently fry garlic and chili flakes in olive oil over medium-low heat.
• Add canned tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and cook for 15 minutes.

• Smash the tomatoes with a spoon, taste, and adjust the seasoning.
• Cook pasta in a large pot, drain it, and add it to the skillet. Stir in fresh parsley, toss until combined, and serve!

Recipe notes

Penne all’arrabbiata ingredients

Pasta: Traditionally, the arrabbiata sauce is served with penne rigate (with a ridged surface rather than smooth), but rigatoni and spaghetti work well. Go for premium-quality pasta, preferably trafilata al bronzo (bronze-cut), and cook until al dente. My favorite brands are Garofalo and Rummo.

Tomatoes: Good-quality whole peeled tomatoes are great. They are fleshier and less watery than their diced counterparts, but good, finely chopped tomatoes with their juice or diced tomatoes are okay, too. My favorite brand for canned tomatoes is Mutti.

Chili flakes: Fresh or dried chili flakes (or crushed red pepper flakes) are a must; adjust the amount to taste until you reach your preferred spiciness, especially if you serve kids.

Herbs: Either fresh parsley or basil works fine; they both add fresh herbal notes to the spicy sauce. But this is a fuss-free recipe, so skip the fresh herbs if you have none.

Cheese: Pecorino or Parmesan is a common addition to this penne arrabbiata recipe; however, feel free to skip it, as the vegan option will taste equally delicious.

Storage tips

Penne arrabbiata leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days, and you can reheat them in a skillet with a touch of water or olive oil.

What’s the difference between Arrabbiata sauce and Marinara sauce?

There are a few minor differences between the two Italian sauce recipes.
The arrabbiata sauce is spicy and requires more chili than the marinara sauce. Instead, Marinara sauce is more garlicky than spicy, using dried oregano instead of fresh herbs.

What does arrabbiata mean?

The Italian word arrabbiata means angry. The spicy sauce is so hot that it makes your face red, as if you were angry!

What to serve with penne all’arrabbiata?

For a quick yet delicious Italian meal, you might serve this penne arrabbiata with a tomato and onion salad or a tomato and cucumber salad. Alternatively, some grilled chicken, baked cod, or pan-fried shrimp on the side would be great to add protein to your meal.

More quick Italian pasta recipes?

First things first, if you love this pasta shape, you might enjoy this collection of yummy penne pasta recipes that feature creamy penne and penne al pesto
and yummy baked penne packed with mozzarella.

If you are looking for Italian pasta dishes ready in no time, I’ve shared many terrific pasta dishes on the blog, including these popular quick & easy pasta recipes. Here are a few more:

If you make this penne all’arrabbiata or have any questions, let me know! Leave a comment or rate it. I would love to hear from you! 

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