Sometimes life calls for celebration. In America, we tend to use food and beverage as a means for celebration.
I can’t think of the last time I attended a birthday party, graduation, anniversary or holiday get-together that didn’t involve consuming a larger-than-normal amount of baked brie or white sangria.
Amidst so much celebrating and indulging sometimes we yearn for simplicity.
When our weekends are packed with brunches and happy hours, chocolate cake and chips and guacamole, weeknights call for healthy, simple dinners.
Most of us know that pasta is answer to the quick, nutritious meal, especially if you prepare whole wheat pasta, some of which provide some of your daily fiber requirement and even omega-3s
What a lot of people don’t know is that you can make your own savory sauce in nearly the same amount of time it takes you to unscrew the top of a jar and pour it into a microwave-safe bowl. Unlike heavy cream sauces, tomato based sauces contain fiber and antioxidants without adding calories.
Arrabbiata literally translates to mean “angry” in Italian but despite it’s name, is quite pleasant to make and to eat. It only takes 15-20 minutes to simmer, unlike most sauces that take upwards of an hour.
Palates beware: arrabbiata sauce is defined by the addition of crushed red pepper or pureed hot peppers – so if you like a sauce with a bit of a kick, this is a good one to try.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup red wine
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 28-ounce can peeled and diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
- 4 cups cooked penne pasta
- Heat oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes.
- Stir in wine, sugar, basil, red pepper, tomato paste, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, black pepper and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in parsley. Ladle over the hot cooked penne pasta.
27 Comments
Susan Dunn
September 8, 2009 at 8:36 pmHmmmm This looks great Maris. I am making it this weekend! Your site is a pleasure to read.
I can’t wait to see the next recipe.
Monica Shaw
September 3, 2009 at 7:02 pmI love Penne All’Arrabbiata… it’s a great comfort food and one I turn to at least once a month. I love Love LOVE this sauce with some diced eggplant in it. Give it a try if you’re a fan of those purple guys. 🙂
Erin
August 27, 2009 at 2:17 pmThis looks easy & delicious!
Liz
August 26, 2009 at 3:12 pmThis sound so fantastic to me right now! Of course that’s probaby b/c I’m eating a kitkat and a diet coke for a late lunch. Sigh.
Half Assed Kitchen
August 26, 2009 at 12:27 pmMmmmm. Much better than a jarred sauce.
Laurie
August 26, 2009 at 10:24 amI’m long past 20 something, but I’m always looking for healthy, quick, after work dinners & this one looks easy & delicious!
Jamie
August 26, 2009 at 2:50 amGorgeous pasta sauce. And you are too right: a wonderful, delicious meal like this can be prepared in a snap. I love this sauce!
Flour
August 25, 2009 at 11:49 amGuilty…I love cream sauces, especially alfredo:) Yum!
This sounds good. What brand of red wine do you use? I’ve had bad luck with cooking wines:(
Antonietta
August 25, 2009 at 10:25 amLooks great! I love a spicy sauce!
DessertObsessed
August 25, 2009 at 2:13 amthis sauce looks so good! love the photos!
mandy
August 24, 2009 at 11:14 pmI love homemade sauces.
Melissa
August 24, 2009 at 9:39 pmMy Favorite red sauce.
Its so amazing how easy red sauces are to make. Once you start, how can you ever go back to canned?
Carissa
August 24, 2009 at 9:26 pmI love spicy pasta sauce! sadly, I am guilty of usually just mixing chili flakes into the jar sauce, but of course this is definitely the better and tastier way to go! and more precise. I have often added a bit too much “kick” to my sauce!
lisa (dandysugar)
August 24, 2009 at 8:10 pmDelicious. I love pasta dishes like this during the week. Always trying to think up more sauce ideas, so this is a great one to keep on hand!
Debbie Davis
August 24, 2009 at 3:40 pmLooks delicious!
FatFighterTV
August 24, 2009 at 3:10 pmYum, my husband loves spicy sauces – I do, too, as long as they aren’t too hot! Will have to try this one.
Liz
August 24, 2009 at 2:10 pmLooks delicious! I love spicy tomato sauce and have recently started making my own red sauce (most of the time anyway). This is one to add to my repertoire.
Lori @ RecipeGirl
August 24, 2009 at 12:53 pmMy kinda pasta dish!
thatShortChick
August 24, 2009 at 11:44 amI could never imagine a world without pasta, especially when it comes to dishes like these.
grace
August 24, 2009 at 11:37 amarrabbiata is my favorite type of red sauce–what can i say, i like to set my mouth on fire. lovely dish, maris. 🙂
beyond
August 24, 2009 at 10:58 ama classic. haven’t made this one in a while, thanks for the reminder.
Maria
August 24, 2009 at 10:23 amI am always up for a good pasta dish! Looks wonderful!
VeggieGirl
August 24, 2009 at 9:20 amClassic dish!! Love it.
Cate O'Malley
August 24, 2009 at 9:07 amHomemade sauce blows the jarred kind out of the water … mmmm, yum!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
August 24, 2009 at 8:23 amGreat way to use some of the fresh basil that’s taking over my garden this week!
Aggie
August 24, 2009 at 7:04 amPerfection! This is my kind of meal…and bring on the heat! Your blog is looking great!
Daryl
August 24, 2009 at 5:00 amLooks simple and delicious. Even I may try!