Toss it with your favorite pasta, or use it as a base for more elaborate dishes like Frutti di Mare (our next post!), either way your tastebuds are sure to tingle. Though there are some good jarred pasta sauces nowadays, we usually prefer to make them from scratch. Marinara, Vodka Sauce and Pesto Genovese are some classics that we regularly whip up. But if you’re a regular follower, you know we like it spicy. That’s why Arrabbiata Sauce is a must on GypsyPlate!
What is Arrabbiata Sauce?
Literally translating to “angry” in Italian, Arrabbiata is basically marinara sauce that has been amped up with a good dose of crushed red pepper. It arose in the 1950’s, when spicy food was trendy in Rome. Arrabbiata can be used on its own as a pasta sauce, or can have other add-ins like seafood.
Ingredients Needs
Extra virgin olive oil – I use a full quarter cup, so it does add to the flavor of the sauce. That’s why I use a good quality, boldly-flavored oil. Onion – Finely chopped. Garlic – Minced. Crushed red pepper – This is what makes the sauce stand out. I use 1.5 tablespoons, but if you’re a little heat sensitive, start with less and add to taste. Tomatoes – I use whole canned San Marzano tomatoes and crush them by hand in a bowl. You can also use canned crushed tomatoes to skip a step. Water – I simmer the sauce for a long time, so a little water helps keeping it from reducing too much. Salt, pepper and sugar – To taste.
Homemade Arrabbiata Sauce Recipe
First, I heat the olive oil in a large pot and sauté the onion for a few minutes, until it becomes soft and translucent. Then I add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook it for about a minute. Next, I add in the crushed tomatoes, bring the sauce to a low simmer, reduce the heat and cook it for about 45 minutes. As it’s cooking, I add in some water if it gets too thick. Towards the end of the simmering time, I taste and adjust for salt, pepper and sugar. That’s it. Easy, huh?
Tips and Notes
I recommend San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand. They have the best flavor. That being said, you can use regular crushed tomatoes. They may require additional sugar when you taste and adjust the sauce. The recommended amount of crushed red pepper creates a fairly spicy, but not overly so, sauce. Feel free to adjust to your personal taste. In a pinch, you can reduce the simmering time. The flavors won’t be as developed, but it’s still better than jarred. Arrabbiata is most commonly paired with penne, but I find it to work with a variety of other shapes, especially spaghetti.
Give your pasta night a spicy makeover with my easy homemade Arrabbiata Sauce. If you like your food with a little kick, this one is a must. And stay tuned for our next post, Frutti di Mare. It’s a restaurant quality dinner that you don’t want to miss!
