This is the best arrabiata sauce recipe you will ever try! It is bursting with flavor, and has just the right amount of spice. It is also incredibly easy to make. You will love how this sauce enhances your favorite dishes.
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We LOVE pasta, pasta with marinara sauce, pasta with roasted eggplant, and pesto pasta are amongst our favorites.
And this spicy Italian tomato sauce is one of our all-time favorites!
It’s one of our favorite sauces to use for penne arrabiata.
Why you’ll love our arrabiata sauce
- It takes just 5 ingredients, 20 minutes to make, and is SO easy to make!
- It’s very cost efficient, 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!
What ingredients do I need?
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
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.
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 pepper flakes in it.
Marinara is a mellow herby flavor, this arriabiata sauce recipe is hot and spicy.
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.
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.
Diced tomatoes are perfectly fine to use.
How do I make it less spicy?
It’s the crushed chili 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.
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.
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.
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.
More easy Italian recipes for you to try at home
- Pesto pasta – a tasty Italian classic
- Penne alla vodka – a real crowd pleaser!
- Cacio e pepe – simple and easy weeknight dinner
- Margherita pizza – anyone can master this classic pizza
- Caprese pizza – stunning and delicious
How to make quick arrabiata sauce with step by step instructions
Making our spicy arrabbiata sauce recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.
A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
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.
Then add your canned San Marzano tomatoes and stir to combine.
Cook for 15 minutes and stir occasionally.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Serve and enjoy!
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!
Arrabiata sauce recipe
Utensils
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp Red pepper flakes
- 14 oz Chopped tomatoes canned
- Basil leaves a generous handful
- Salt and pepper to taste
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 burn2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, 2 Cloves garlic, ½ tsp Red pepper flakes
- Then add your canned San Marzano tomatoes and stir to combine14 oz Chopped tomatoes
- Cook for 15 minutes and stir occasionally. Add fresh basil leaves, and season with salt and black pepper to tasteBasil 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
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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Learn how to make arrabiata sauce with step-by-step photos.
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Gina says
Love the spicy kick of arrabiata sauce – never knew it was so easy!
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
Yes, it’s so easy to make your own – let us know how you get on with it!
Natalie says
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.
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
It’s just the perfect sauce for pasta – hope you enjoy it!
Dannii says
This is one of my favourite pasta sauces. So quick and easy too.
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
Glad you enjoy it! It’s one of our favourites too!
Mahy says
Now this is one amazing recipe! Fantastic arrabiata sauce that can be used with so many dishes!
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
Thank you! We’re so pleased you like it!
Kay says
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!!
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
We are thrilled that you and your kids loved our pasta sauce!
Savita says
This sounds so easy and looks delicious too.
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
It is very easy – let us know how you get on with it!
Denise Johnson says
We don’t like chunky sauce, can you use can of tomato puree instead?
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
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!
Leporine says
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!)