Penne with Spicy Red Sauce
Add a fiery twist to your weeknight dinner routine with Penne with Spicy Red Sauce, a simple yet flavor-packed Italian classic. This recipe brings al dente penne pasta together with a rich, homemade tomato sauce infused with red chili flakes, garlic, and dried oregano for a perfect balance of spicy and savory notes. A touch of sugar enhances the natural sweetness of crushed tomatoes, while fresh basil adds a burst of herbal freshness. Finished with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan, this 35-minute dish is an easy, satisfying meal that feels restaurant-worthy. Serve it with crusty bread or a crisp green salad for an irresistible dinner that’s sure to impress. Perfect for pasta lovers craving bold flavors!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Red chili flakes
- 28 oz Crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup Water (reserved from pasta cooking)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and red chili flakes, and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Stir in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Add the cooked penne to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce.
Stir in the fresh chopped basil and cook for 1-2 minutes more to allow the flavors to meld.
Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1839 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 42.3 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.4 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 2798 mg | 122% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 313.1 g | 114% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.9 g | 100% | |
| Total Sugars | 36.1 g | ||
| Protein | 62.1 g | 124% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 482 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 21.8 mg | 121% | |
| Potassium | 3024 mg | 64% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
