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Home / Vegetarian / Quick Arrabiata sauce

Quick Arrabiata sauce

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A rich tomato sauce with a hint of garlic, fresh basil, and a spicy kick from crushed red pepper flakes is just perfect for tossing pasta in. When we go to Italy, it’s one of our favorite sauces and we love quickly rustling it up when we get back home as it takes us back to hot Sorrento evenings, gazing out at Mount Vesuvius while tucking into quality Italian food.

A jar of delicious arrabbiata sauce made from scratch with basil leaves and tomatoes.

Why you’ll love our arrabiata sauce

  • It takes just 5 ingredients, 20 minutes to make, and is SO easy to make!
  • You can batch make and then freeze it so you always have a supply for whenever you need it.
  • You can use it on any kind of pasta you have in your store cupboard!
  • It’s suitable for both vegetarians and vegans!
Ingredients for making arrabbiata sauce, fresh basil, salt, canned tomatoes, garlic, black pepper and red pepper flakes.

What does arrabiata mean?

Arrabiata, or arrabbiata (correct spelling), means ‘angry’ in Italian.

Why is arrabiata sauce angry? It’s the red pepper flakes that give the sauce recipe its fiery spiciness, aka angriness.

When you taste this delicious arrabiata sauce and realise just how wonderful it is, and that it takes just 20 minutes to make, you will never buy another jar of pasta sauce again. EVER.

A pot of arrabbiata sauce with basil leaves.

What’s the difference between marinara sauce and arrabiata sauce?

Marinara sauce and arrabiata sauce have a lot of similarities.

They are both made with garlic sauteed in olive oil and are tomato-based sauces.

Where they differ mainly is that marinara sauce contains onion and arrabiata has more red pepper flakes in it.

Marinara is a mellow herby flavor, this arriabiata sauce recipe is hot and spicy.

A spoonfull of arrabiata sauce freshly made, with fresh tomatoes and red pepper flakes.

What are the top Italian sauces?

There are many Italian sauces that are delicious when added to cooked pasta, here are 10 different sauces, in no particular order:

  • Ragù alla Bolognese.
  • Carbonara.
  • Alfredo.
  • Amatriciana.
  • Puttanesca.
  • Pesto.
  • Alla Norma.
  • Vongole.
  • Cacio e Pepe.
  • Aglio o Olio.
Homemade arrabiata sauce with basil leaves, fresh tomatoes and red pepper flakes.

Which tomatoes are best to use?

We used canned tomatoes, ours are crushed tomatoes but you can use whole tomatoes.

The best type of canned tomatoes to use are sweet San Marzano

Sweet San Marzano tomatoes are grown near Mount Vesuvius, they are sweeter tomatoes because of the volcanic soil.

If you use whole tomatoes, then just gently break them up with the back of a wooden spoon as you are cooking them.

How do I make it less spicy?

It’s the crushed red pepper flakes that give arrabiata sauce its spiciness, so if you’re not a fan of spice, then you could either leave out the crushed red pepper flakes.

Or you could alternatively make a marinara sauce that doesn’t have the spice that this sauce has.

Arrabbiata sauce made from scratch with red pepper flakes and fresh tomatoes.

My arrabiata sauce is too runny, how do I thicken it?

If you think that your homemade sauce is too runny, then you can add tomato paste.

While cooking the sauce, add a tablespoon of tomato paste, stir it in and see if this thickens the sauce to your liking, if not, then just add more tomato paste until it’s thick enough.

We don’t use tomato paste in our spicy tomato sauce as we like the consistency.

Should I use olive oil or butter?

Traditionally arrabbiata sauce is made with olive oil, however, butter works well for this delicious pasta sauce.

To keep this spicy arrabbiata sauce vegan as well as vegetarian, we’ve stuck with traditional and used olive oil.

Homemade arrabbiata sauce on a wooden tray, with basil and tomatoes.

What can I serve it with?

Our homemade tomato sauce is so flexible, you can use it on any pasta, with a slice of nice crusty bread, as a pizza sauce, in sandwiches, in baked potatoes, as a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks – it goes with so many different things.

Penne pasta is perfect for this sauce recipe, but you really could use any type of pasta in it.

How do I store my homemade sauce?

Your arrabiata sauce will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

If you want to keep your spicy arrabbiata sauce for longer, then put it in freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.

A pot of arrabbiata sauce cooking with a wooden spoon.

Recipe notes and tips

  • Worried it’ll be too spicy?
  • Add the crushed red pepper flakes slowly and taste regularly when you have stirred them into the tomato sauce.
  • Want to save time in the future?
  • Make a double or triple batch of arrabiata sauce and freeze it in portions in freezer bags.
  • Can’t find sweet San Marzano tomatoes?
  • Use the best quality canned tomatoes you can afford.

How to make quick arrabiata sauce with step by step instructions

You’ll love making our arrabbiata sauce recipe – it’s so quick and easy!

In a large pot, heat your extra virgin olive oil over medium heat, then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for approximately 1 minute, stir to ensure the garlic doesn’t burn.

Process shots for how to make arrabbiata sauce, add garlic, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, pepper and fresh basil leaves.

Then add your canned San Marzano tomatoes and stir to combine.

Cook for 15 minutes and stirring occasionally.

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve and enjoy!

Fresh arrabbiata sauce homemade with red pepper flakes and tomatoes.

Full measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the printable recipe card below.

Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, for more tasty inspiration!

More vegetarian recipes for you to try

Pasta alla Norma – you’ll have clean plates all around with this delicious cheesy, creamy eggplant pasta dish!

Pasta bake with veggie meatballs – Hearty comfort food that the whole family will love!

One pot pink pasta sauce – A firm favorite in our household, cheesy, bacon flavor pasta but 100% vegetarian!

Pasta alla Sorrentina – Sweet fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves make this quick and easy pasta dish irresistible!

We hope you enjoy making our arrabiata sauce recipe and would love to hear how you got on making it.

Please leave us a comment below or feel free to ask any questions you may have – enjoy!

Homemade arrabiata sauce in a jar.
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QUICK ARRABIATA SAUCE

Learn how to make arrabiata sauce in just 20 minutes. Perfect spicy tomato pasta sauce is better than store-bought it's so easy. Great for pasta nights, date nights, and cooking for a crowd.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Servings4
Calories83
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Mandy Applegate | Splash of Taste
Prevent your screen from going dark

Utensils

Large pot

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Cloves garlic minced
  • ½ tsp Red pepper flakes
  • 400 g Chopped tomatoes canned
  • Basil leaves a generous handful
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Metric – US Customary

Instructions

  • In a large pot, heat your extra virgin olive oil over medium heat, then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for approximately 1 minute, stir to ensure the garlic doesn't burn
    2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, 2 Cloves garlic, ½ tsp Red pepper flakes
    Process shots for how to make arrabbiata sauce, add garlic, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, pepper and fresh basil leaves.
  • Then add your canned San Marzano tomatoes and stir to combine
    400 g Chopped tomatoes
  • Cook for 15 minutes and stir occasionally. Add fresh basil leaves, and season with salt and black pepper to taste
    Basil leaves, Salt and pepper to taste
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Worried it’ll be too spicy? Add the crushed red pepper flakes slowly and taste regularly when you have stirred them into the tomato sauce
  • Want to save time in the future? Make a double or triple batch of arrabiata sauce and freeze it in portions in freezer bags
  • Can’t find sweet San Marzano tomatoes? Use the best quality canned tomatoes you can afford

Nutrition

Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Learn how to make arrabiata sauce with step-by-step photos.

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About Mandy from Splash of Taste

A vegetarian for over 35 years, Mandy has taught herself to be creative in the kitchen. Traveling extensively, Mandy loves learning and adapting vegetarian recipes from across the world.

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Gina says

    October 13, 2021 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    Love the spicy kick of arrabiata sauce – never knew it was so easy!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      October 13, 2021 at 8:47 am

      Yes, it’s so easy to make your own – let us know how you get on with it!

      Reply
  2. Natalie says

    October 13, 2021 at 9:59 am

    5 stars
    I’m making pasta today for dinner. This sauce sounds like a perfect addition. Thanks for this lovely recipe. Can’t wait to give this a try.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      October 13, 2021 at 10:03 am

      It’s just the perfect sauce for pasta – hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  3. Dannii says

    October 13, 2021 at 10:32 am

    5 stars
    This is one of my favourite pasta sauces. So quick and easy too.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      October 13, 2021 at 10:33 am

      Glad you enjoy it! It’s one of our favourites too!

      Reply
  4. Mahy says

    October 13, 2021 at 10:50 am

    5 stars
    Now this is one amazing recipe! Fantastic arrabiata sauce that can be used with so many dishes!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      October 13, 2021 at 10:53 am

      Thank you! We’re so pleased you like it!

      Reply
  5. Kay says

    October 13, 2021 at 10:59 am

    5 stars
    A fantastic sauce, and I will highly recommend it to my family and friends 🙂
    Perfect sauce for pasta the kids absolutely loved it
    Thank you so much!!

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      October 13, 2021 at 11:05 am

      We are thrilled that you and your kids loved our pasta sauce!

      Reply
  6. Savita says

    October 13, 2021 at 12:19 pm

    5 stars
    This sounds so easy and looks delicious too.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      October 13, 2021 at 12:43 pm

      It is very easy – let us know how you get on with it!

      Reply
  7. Denise Johnson says

    November 20, 2021 at 4:04 pm

    We don’t like chunky sauce, can you use can of tomato puree instead?

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      November 20, 2021 at 4:17 pm

      If you don’t like chunky sauces, then you could use chopped tomatoes instead of whole ones, that would be the best but if you don’t like chopped tomatoes either, then you could use tomato puree, it’ll change the texture and taste. I have never tried it with tomato puree so would be interested to know how you got on with it!

      Reply
  8. Leporine says

    January 28, 2022 at 10:31 am

    Thank you for sharing this recipe! I love arrabiata in restaurants. I’ve never been able to perfect it at home until I found your website! (I prefer red chilli flakes in mine though – really gives it a kick compared to Marinara sauce!)

    Reply

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