A bowl of spaghetti arrabiatta garnished with grated cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Overhead shot of a bowl of spaghetti arrabbiata.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

Kitchen tools

Ingredients you might need to pick up to make arrabbiata sauce

  • Crushed tomatoes – Using crushed tomatoes for a simple tomato sauce like this one, gives the sauce a thicker texture than can be achieved with a tomato sauce.
  • Tomato paste
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Onion
  • Garlic

Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.

Close up of a skillet full of spaghetti.

How to make spaghetti arrabiatta

Cook the pasta. Boil spaghetti to al denté according the to package directions.

Make the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, sauté garlic and onions until garlic is aromatic and onions become translucent. Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes and dried basil. Stirring to incorporate. Allow sauce to simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the red pepper flakes to add their kick to the sauce.

Coat spaghetti with sauce. Add the spaghetti to the skillet of sauce and stir until the spaghetti is fully coated in sauce.

Close up of a bowl of pasta with arrabiata sauce.

Everything you need to know about spaghetti arrabbiata

What is the difference between arrabiata sauce and spaghetti sauce?

Both are a simple tomato sauce, the only difference is the amount of spice. Arrabiata sauce contains crushed red pepper flakes creating the distinctive spiciness this tomato sauce is known for.

Why is it called arrabiata sauce?

Arrabiata sauce is a traditional Italian tomato based sauce. The word arrabbiata is Italian for angry, so arrabiata sauce basically means angry sauce!

A cast iron skillet with spaghetti arrabbiata and bowls of spaghetti surrounding it.

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Other spicy pastas you should try

a bowl of spaghetti with a fork resting in it.

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Spaghetti Arrabbiata

Classic and simple, this spaghetti arrabbiata recipe is the best fiery sauce around. Simmered with garlic, onions and plenty of crushed red pepper flakes this traditional tomato sauce will elevate Sunday night spaghetti to a spicy, Italian feast.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 15- ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcal Carbohydrates: 53g Protein: 10g Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 5g Sodium: 186mg Potassium: 533mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 7g Vitamin A: 307IU Vitamin C: 13mg Calcium: 65mg Iron: 3mg

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