Spicy pasta arrabbiata from Rome
There are two very well-known spicy pasta dishes in Italy. One is pasta with nduja from Calabria, made with a soft spicy salami. The other is this vegetarian recipe called all’arrabbiata or just arrabbiata from Rome.
Although known as a Roman recipe, all'arrabbiata originated in Rieti province In fact, it actually comes from Ponte Basso, a small village that is part of the municipality of Castel Sant’Angelo, in the Rieti area. However, its popularity soon spread to the capital, and then throughout the region. Today arrabbiata is considered a classic Roman dish.
Arrabbiata is good for you!
In general, Italian food can’t be described as spicy. However, in Southern Italy especially, they love to use Italian red chilli peppers (peperoncino) in many dishes. Interestingly, the Southern Italians believe that peperoncino is not only good for your heart, but that it is also an aphrodisiac!
What does 'arrabbiata' mean?
The word 'arrabbiata' means angry! Apparently, the name derives from the fact that eating this dish may turn you red in the face because of the chilli! Just like when someone gets angry!
Arrabbiata is an as-spicy-as-you-want-to-make-it flavorful pasta dish which is very simple to put together and requires very few ingredients. It is quite a famous dish in Italian cuisine, having been immortalized by Italian films such as The Great Abducted (La grande abbuffata) by Marco Ferreri, Rome by Federico Fellini and Seven Kilos in Seven Days (7 chili in 7 giorni) with Carlo Verdone.
Although popular in restaurants in the 80s, nowadays arrabbiata is most often cooked at home. However, you can also find it in trattorias offering low cost and fast workers' lunch menus.
Arrabbiata is very easy to make!
The main ingredients for this traditional Roman recipe are peeled tomatoes, pecorino Romano, garlic, chili pepper, parsley, salt and extra virgin olive oil.
All you need to do to make all'arrabbiata is to fry garlic in some olive oil, add fresh chilli (peperoncino) and then peeled tomatoes cut into pieces. Season with salt and pepper and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes. Prepare the pasta, add it to the sauce and serve with a sprinkling of fresh parsley and lots of grated Roman pecorino. That's it!
The tomatoes in arrabbiata.
The original recipe for arrabbiata calls for peeled and chopped fresh tomatoes. I altered this a bit. I decided to use fresh cherry tomatoes and some tomato passata (my favourite is Cirio passata rustica). You can also use a tin of peeled tomatoes. I would, however, suggest that you use a good Italian brand. Because this is such a simple recipe, the quality of the ingredients makes a difference to the end result.
The pasta for arrabbiata.
Traditionally, Italians eat arrabbiata with penne pasta but many people also serve it with spaghetti or bucatini. I used bucatini from a company in Molise that makes very nice pasta with 100% Italian wheat. Called, La Molisana, this pasta maker is one of the top ten 'supermarket' pasta brands in Italy.
In Rome, throughout Lazio and in other regions, Italians use arrabbiata sauce not only to season pasta but also to flavor dishes, such as lamb, chicken or other meats, as well as pizza or focaccia and even seafood. So, if you make extra sauce, you can use it for a second meal.
Let me know what you think.
If you do try this all'arrabbiata pasta recipe from Rome, I’d love to hear what you think. Please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.
Your feedback means a lot to me!
Buon Appetito!
This recipe was originally published in 2017 but has been updated.
More recipes from Rome on The Pasta Project.
Have a look at these traditional Roman recipes, here are some of my favorites:
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Bucatini all'arrabbiata
Ingredients
- 400 g bucatini (14oz) or penne rigate
- 2 garlic cloves peeled
- 3-4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 100 g pecorino Romano (optional) (3.5oz) or vegetarian/vegan parmesan grated
- 2 fresh chilli peppers peperoncino. I red, 1 green or 2 red
- 1 handful fresh parsley chopped
- 400 g ripe tomatoes (14oz) peeled or 12 cherry tomatoes and 350 g passata rustica
- salt for pasta and to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Once it starts to boil add salt and bring to the boil again.
- If you are using fresh tomatoes, rinse them in cold water. Then remove the stalks and cut an X into the top of each tomato. This makes peeling them easier. Put them in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. After a couple of minutes, immerse them in cold water and peel them. Cut them in half and remove the pips. If using cherry tomatoes just wash and halve them
- Peel the garlic. Take the chilli peppers, cut them in half and remove the seeds and then cut them into small strips. Be careful not to touch your eyes or mouth while you do this and wash your hands well afterwards. If you don’t have fresh chilli you can used 2-3 teaspoons of peperoncino flakes.
- Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan or skillet.
- Add the garlic cloves (whole or finely chopped as you prefer) and the chilli pepper to the pan and cook for a minute or two, stirring with a wooden spoon to prevent them from burning.
- Then add the peeled tomatoes cut into cubes or the cherry tomatoes and cook for a few seconds at a high heat.
- Lower the heat and add salt and pepper to taste.
- If you are using cherry tomatoes and passata, add the passata now.
- Stir well and then simmer the sauce uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Cook the pasta al dente in the boiling salted water according to the instructions on the packet.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the sauce. Mix everything together well.
- If your garlic cloves are whole ( which is what I prefer to do) remove them.
- Serve the pasta with a sprinkling of fresh parsley and grated pecorino Romano (optional).
Notes
Nutrition
If you are interested in learning how to make homemade pasta and different types of gnocchi, check out my shop page for some great video online courses from my friends in Rome! Nothing beats learning to make pasta from Italians! Plus while you’re there why not order a copy of my autumn/winter pasta recipes cookbook!?
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
I'm a pasta person. I have my own version of sugo all arrabbiata, but I'm going to try yours. I'm also in love with La Molisana that I discovered in Walmart! I didn't know it was so popular in Italy. I like it because I'm always looking for bronze die pasta.
Ramona says
I haven't made this in a long time and now that I have seen this recipe, I am super convinced that I should make it again! thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to make it!
Elaine says
Oh wow - it is one of those recipes that has a super unique name. I would definitely remember it if I tried it. Although I am not sure if I can count on the nearby restaurants to try it, so I guess it's time to get to cooking - your instructions are so easy to follow (as always)!
Tristin says
Thanks for the comment on the pecorino Romano cheese. I am making this spicy pasta for my sister, who is vegetarian. Will switch out the cheese!! Can't wait to try this, it looks so amazing!
Eva says
La Molisana is such a great brand of pasta, I'm so sad I cannot find it here in Sweden. I used to not be a fan of spicy sauces growing up, but picked up chilies as an acquired taste later in life. That means that I never used to eat pasta all'arrabbiata while living in Italy! Don't know when I will be travelling there anytime soon, so in the meantime I'll use your recipe and pretend I'm in Italy enjoying some "grown up food" 😀
Denise says
This Bucatini all'arrabbiata looks scrumptious! I can not wait for my tomatoes in my garden to be ready, this recipe is on the top of my list.
Heather says
It’s summertime here so I’m excited to try this with fresh tomatoes from the garden! Looks so good!
Zuzana says
I always have to have spicy sauces. I have a big bottle of Tabasco, I use on everything. But have never actually tried it with Chilli. What a great idea. making them over the weekend.
Chef Dennis says
That word spicy really got me! This Bucatini all’arrabbiata is making my tummy go loco. Super delicious!
Bernice says
I love angry pasta!! Vegetarian, or not. We are very lucky to have a GREAT Italian Center here...and they carry both nduja and La Molisana pasta.
You have me craving spicy pasta now!
Gloria says
We love pasta and spicy flavours. This sounds like the perfect meal...just pour me a glass of wine. Perfect for date night.
Tom T says
Nothing beats an Arrabiata. So simple, so good. Has made it at least once a week for more than 25 years.
Agree on the comment about using quality tomatoes (and of course really good olive oil). But I must confess I prefer Strozzapreti or Gemelli. That would probably send me to an insane asylum in Italy 😉
Keep up the great work! A very inspirational site, indeed. /T