In 20 minutes, serve Spicy Spaghetti with a rich, flavorful tomato sauce made from crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and garlic. This Italian-style dish is perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner. Simply cook the spaghetti, toss it in the delicious, spicy tomato sauce, and enjoy!
Everyone has a secret to making a quick meal, and this spicy spaghetti recipe is mine. You only need a few staple ingredients to toss together, and your dinner is ready effortlessly(like this Instant Pot spicy penne pasta recipe)!
This recipe is inspired by the classic Italian arrabbita sauce, with a mild tweak to make it even more accessible. While the classic recipe calls for fresh red chili peppers, we use pantry-staple red pepper flakes instead. It tastes fabulous, and you won't miss the original version's flavor and taste(have you tried this chicken curry pasta)!
I prefer this simple recipe for chilly, ultimate cold-weather nights, where I don't need a trip to my grocery stores and do not need long hours for prepping.
This spicy spaghetti is saucy, with bold tomato flavors. The al dente pasta holds the rich, creamy sauce beautifully. If you're worried about the heat, you can easily adjust it to your preference(we can see it all in detail below).
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️It's super easy and quick, made with minimal ingredients.
⭐️Delicious flavors: Rich and satisfying with every bite.
⭐️Vegan and vegetarian-friendly, with a customizable heat level to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: I used extra-virgin olive oil, perfect for bringing the classic flavors.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must for the best taste.
- Crushed red pepper: I've used its rich heat, and you can adjust the amount to fit your heat tolerance.
- Crushed tomatoes: They are the easiest option. You can also use fresh tomatoes(see FAQ for instructions).
- Oregano & Parsley: I used dried oregano since it's winter and snowy, and I couldn't go shopping. Feel free to use it if you have fresh ones.
- Spaghetti: You can use whole-grain, protein-enriched spaghetti or any other type that you have at home.
How To Make Spicy Spaghetti
- Boil salted water in a large pot. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then set it aside.
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper. Sauté for one minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the pan and stir well. Add dried oregano and salt. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked spaghetti and the reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the spaghetti evenly. Plate the pasta, garnish with dried parsley, and enjoy.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
This spicy spaghetti has a noticeable kick of heat. However, you can easily make it with mild or moderate heat to suit your taste.
If you have freshly chopped chili peppers like jalapeno or serrano, you can use them instead. Just adjust the quantity based on your heat tolerance.
For milder heat, start with a small amount of crushed red pepper and adjust as needed.
For extra heat, increase the crushed red pepper and add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
The Leftovers
Use the leftovers as the main dish or toss them into soup or salad.
- You can store leftover spaghetti in the refrigerator for about three days or in the freezer for up to two months.
- To thaw, place frozen spaghetti in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave to thaw it quickly.
- Reheat the spaghetti gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Sprinkle a little water over the pasta to prevent it from drying out. Stir occasionally to ensure it heats evenly without breaking. For best results, use medium heat to preserve the al dente texture of the pasta.
Pro Tips For Best Results
Drizzle some olive oil over the spaghetti just before serving. This final touch of olive oil and garnish enhances the flavor and gives the dish a beautiful finish.
FAQ
If you feel the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water to dilute it. And cook until you reach your desired consistency.
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes! Simply blanch them in boiling water for about a minute, remove the skins, and pulse them in a blender to make a smooth sauce.
Absolutely! Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms. To make the dish heartier, you can toss in proteins like cooked chicken, shrimp, or ground meat.
More Pasta Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Spicy Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti dry
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes /blanched and pureed fresh tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon parsley dried
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, reserve ¼ cup of pasta water. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper. Sauté for a minute until fragrant(without burning the garlic).
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well.
- Add dried oregano and salt. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked spaghetti and reserved pasta water to the pan with the sauce. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Plate the pasta and garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Adjust heat levels by using more or fewer crushed red pepper.
- Add cayenne or fresh chili peppers for extra spice.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months; reheat with a sprinkle of water to maintain texture.
Leave a Reply