Like its cousin marinara, homemade arrabbiata sauce is very easy to make. You’ll need just four basic ingredients: one large can of whole peeled tomatoes, fresh garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes or small red chili peppers. I fell in love with arrabbiata sauce during a college semester in Bordeaux, France. I was actually a picker eater, and I was learning how to cook by playing around in our dorm’s lackluster kitchen. We lived on cheap pasta during those months, and I livened up my noodles with various sautéed vegetables. The spiciness of the arrabbiata sauce offered so much bold flavor that it made my simple meals taste exciting and helped me learn to love veggies like zucchini and bell pepper. I’ve come a long way since then, and it all started with arrabbiata sauce!
How to Make Arrabbiata Sauce
The full recipe is below, but here are a few notes before you get started.
How to Serve Arrabbiata Sauce
Penne rigate noodles are the ideal vehicle for arrabbiata sauce. The sauce clings to its ridges and tucks into the interiors. Similar noodle shapes like ziti will work particularly well, too. To be honest, I’d probably enjoy arrabbiata sauce on any noodle and definitely on spaghetti.
Traditionally, arrabbiata sauce is most often garnished with chopped Italian (flat-leaf) parsley and pecorino romano cheese. I love it with Parmesan cheese, too. If that’s what you have on hand, go for it.
Consider serving your arrabbiata sauce with any of these recipes to round out your meal.
Green salad: Try my Vegetarian Italian Chopped Salad or a simplified salad with Italian Dressing. You can never go wrong with Lemony Kale Salad or Super Simple Arugula Salad.
Vegetable side: Green beans, broccoli and cauliflower are hearty vegetables that pair well with this pasta dish. Make my Best Ever Green Beans or more simple Roasted Green Beans, Roasted Cauliflower (try the Italian variation), Perfect Roasted Broccoli or the knock-out Parmesan Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Drizzle.
Drinks: For an aperitivo, or a drink before your meal, try an Americano Cocktail or Classic Aperol Spritz. Italian red wines that pair well with spicy tomato sauces include Sangiovese and Primitivo, or for white wine, try Pinot Grigio.
Dessert: To cap off your spicy meal, try a small decadent treat, like Foolproof Basque Cheesecake, Pots de Crème, Lemon Posset or Mini Lava Cakes for Two.
More Saucy Pastas to Enjoy
If you enjoy this arrabbiata sauce, you’ll love these recipes. Find even more pasta recipes here.
Super Simple Marinara Sauce Hearty Spaghetti with Lentils & Marinara Sauce Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables Creamy Pumpkin Marinara Pasta alla Norma
Please let me know how your sauce turns out in the comments! I love hearing from you and I’m eager to hear how you serve this one. **Fresh chili pepper options: Traditional Italian recipes use peperone friariello peppers, which I’ve not been able to find locally. While untraditional, Fresno peppers work well and taste very fresh. Jarred calabrian peppers work, too, and lend a slightly smoky undertone.
