Italian Arrabbiata sauce brings spice to dishes like *penne all’arrabbiata*.


How to Make Arrabbiata Sauce: Italian Arrabbiata Recipe

*Arrabbiata* means "fiery" or "angry" in Italian, so, naturally, *pasta all’arrabbiata* is made with hot chiles. Arrabbiata sauce originated in Rome, Italy, where it's still popular today, and it has spread around the world as a spicy alternative to the [standard marinara sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce).

Spicy arrabbiata sauce is traditionally served with penne pasta, but you can use it anywhere you would other tomato sauces. Try it on a pizza with fresh mozzarella, or as a dipping sauce for crusty bread. Or, try arrabbiata with spaghetti or orecchiette. Whichever pasta you use, remove it from the pot when al dente, still wet with pasta water, and add it to the pasta sauce; finish cooking the pasta in the sauce so that the pasta becomes evenly coated in sauce and cheese. If you salted the pasta water sufficiently, the dish shouldn't require any additional salt. For a gluten-free alternative, try zucchini noodles.

Arrabbiata is one of the simplest Italian sauces, with just four key ingredients.

1. __Tomatoes__: At its heart, arrabbiata is a tomato sauce. Though arrabbiata is usually made with whole canned tomatoes, you can substitute fresh ripe plum tomatoes when in season.
2. __Pancetta__: [Pancetta, the salt-cured pork belly](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-pancetta-bacon-and-prosciutto) that is Italy's answer to bacon, is essential to authentic Roman-style *penne all’arrabbiata*. It's often left off of American menus, but if you can get your hands on some pancetta, it takes this basic red sauce to the next level.
3. __Chiles__: Arrabbiata sauce is traditionally made with whole dried peperoncini rossi (hot red peppers usually tied onto a string), but many cooks use red pepper flakes as a shortcut. 
4. __Pecorino Romano__: [Pecorino Romano](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pecorino-cheese) is milder and less sweet than parmesan cheese, and makes a better topping for spicy arrabbiata sauce. 

Italian Arrabbiata sauce brings spice to dishes like *penne all’arrabbiata*.


Arrabbiata means &quot;fiery&quot; or &quot;angry&quot; in Italian, so, naturally, pasta all’arrabbiata is made with hot chiles. Arrabbiata sauce originated in Rome, Italy, where it&#39;s still popular today, and it has spread around the world as a spicy alternative to the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-marinara-sauce","linkCopy":"standard marinara sauce","category":null}'>standard marinara sauce</a>.

What Is Arrabbiata Sauce?

Spicy arrabbiata sauce is traditionally served with penne pasta, but you can use it anywhere you would other tomato sauces. Try it on a pizza with fresh mozzarella, or as a dipping sauce for crusty bread. Or, try arrabbiata with spaghetti or orecchiette. Whichever pasta you use, remove it from the pot when al dente, still wet with pasta water, and add it to the pasta sauce; finish cooking the pasta in the sauce so that the pasta becomes evenly coated in sauce and cheese. If you salted the pasta water sufficiently, the dish shouldn&#39;t require any additional salt. For a gluten-free alternative, try zucchini noodles.

Which Pasta Pairs Well With Arrabbiata Sauce?

Arrabbiata is one of the simplest Italian sauces, with just four key ingredients.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Tomatoes: At its heart, arrabbiata is a tomato sauce. Though arrabbiata is usually made with whole canned tomatoes, you can substitute fresh ripe plum tomatoes when in season. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Pancetta: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-pancetta-bacon-and-prosciutto' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-pancetta-bacon-and-prosciutto","linkCopy":"Pancetta, the salt-cured pork belly","category":null}'>Pancetta, the salt-cured pork belly</a> that is Italy&#39;s answer to bacon, is essential to authentic Roman-style penne all’arrabbiata. It&#39;s often left off of American menus, but if you can get your hands on some pancetta, it takes this basic red sauce to the next level. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Chiles: Arrabbiata sauce is traditionally made with whole dried peperoncini rossi (hot red peppers usually tied onto a string), but many cooks use red pepper flakes as a shortcut. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Pecorino Romano: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pecorino-cheese' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pecorino-cheese","linkCopy":"Pecorino Romano","category":null}'>Pecorino Romano</a> is milder and less sweet than parmesan cheese, and makes a better topping for spicy arrabbiata sauce. </li></ol>

4 Essential Arrabbiata Ingredients

Classic Italian Arrabbiata Sauce Recipe

Italian Arrabbiata sauce brings spice to dishes like penne all’arrabbiata.