Description
A quick and flavorful Penne Arrabbiata recipe featuring a spicy tomato sauce with fragrant garlic and chili flakes. Ready in under 30 minutes, this plant-based pasta dish offers a perfect balance of heat and savoriness, ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 300g penne pasta
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
- 1–2 tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 400g crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Plant-based Parmesan cheese (optional), for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Penne: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining for finishing the sauce.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Heat olive oil (natural) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped garlic and red chili flakes and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes to develop rich flavor and a slightly thickened texture.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked penne into the sauce, mixing well to coat each piece. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and ensure every bite is perfectly saucy.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove from heat and stir in freshly chopped parsley. Add a sprinkle of plant-based Parmesan cheese on top if you like, then serve immediately to enjoy the lively, spicy goodness.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and good-quality canned tomatoes for best flavor.
- Adjust chili flakes gradually to control the spice level.
- Reserve pasta water to help bind sauce to pasta for a silkier finish.
- Cook pasta al dente to achieve the ideal texture for sauce adherence.
- The sauce tastes even better the next day as flavors meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Penne Arrabbiata, spicy pasta, plant-based pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta, vegetarian pasta, easy pasta recipe
