Some nights just call for pasta. It is easy, filling, comforting, and one of those dinners that does not need to be complicated to taste good. This spicy marinara pasta is perfect for those evenings when you want something simple but still want a little extra flavor.
In our house, spicy food is usually where opinions split. I like a little heat, while my husband usually prefers things on the mild side. That is one of the reasons I like this recipe. It has enough kick to make the marinara sauce more interesting, but it is still easy to adjust depending on who is sitting at the table.
This spicy marinara penne pasta keeps things simple with crushed tomatoes, garlic, shallot, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and penne pasta. The sauce comes together quickly while the pasta cooks, making it a great option for a busy weeknight dinner.
Why This Spicy Marinara Pasta Works for Weeknights
One of the best things about pasta night is how flexible it can be. Penne holds sauce well, the ingredients are easy to keep on hand, and the whole meal comes together without a lot of prep.
If you want the pasta to have the best texture, cook it just until al dente. Barilla has a helpful guide on how to cook pasta al dente if you want a quick refresher before making this recipe.
This recipe also works well because the heat is easy to control. Red pepper flakes add warmth without completely taking over the dish. You can keep it mild, make it medium, or add more spice if your family likes a stronger kick.
How to Adjust the Heat
The easiest way to control the spice level is with the red pepper flakes. For a milder sauce, start with less red pepper and add more after tasting. For more heat, add extra red pepper flakes while the sauce simmers so the spice has time to blend into the marinara.
If you are serving both mild and spicy eaters, keep the base sauce a little lighter on heat and let people add extra red pepper flakes at the table. That way, everyone can make their own bowl work for them.
What to Serve with Spicy Marinara Penne Pasta
This spicy marinara pasta can stand on its own, but it also pairs well with simple sides. A green salad, garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or grilled chicken would all work well with the tomato-based sauce.
If you want to round out the meal, a salad with olive oil-based dressing is an easy choice. Harvard Health shares more about the Mediterranean-style way of eating, which often includes ingredients like tomatoes, olive oil, vegetables, herbs, and pasta in balanced meals.
You could also add meatballs, Italian sausage, shrimp, or grilled chicken if you want to make the dish heartier. For a vegetarian dinner, serve it with roasted zucchini, mushrooms, or a simple side of sautéed spinach.
Tips for Making This Pasta
A few small details can make this recipe even better. Use a large enough pot so the pasta has room to cook evenly. Salt the pasta water once it comes to a boil, then cook the penne until it is tender but still has a little bite.
Let the sauce simmer while the pasta cooks so the garlic, shallot, tomatoes, seasoning, and red pepper flakes have time to come together. Once the pasta is added to the sauce, toss everything well so each piece of penne is coated. A little Parmesan at the end gives the pasta a salty, savory finish. You can also add fresh basil or parsley before serving if you have it on hand.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The USDA recommends keeping most cooked leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To reheat, warm the pasta gently on the stove or in the microwave. If the sauce has thickened in the refrigerator, add a small splash of water before reheating to loosen it back up.
Spicy Marinara Penne Pasta Recipe
This easy spicy marinara pasta is a simple dinner with tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, penne pasta, and Parmesan cheese. It is flavorful, flexible, and easy to adjust depending on how much heat your family enjoys.
Spicy Marinara Penne Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Penne Pasta
- 14 oz Can Crushed Tomatoes pureed
- 1 shallot small diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes adjust per taste
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, season with salt, and cook pasta until al-dente. It takes about 12 minutes to cook pasta or you follow timings per pasta package directions.
- In the meantime, in a wide pan, heat olive oil, garlic, and shallot and cook until just soft (1-2 minutes)
- Add pureed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Cook covered for 10 minutes.
- Add in boiled pasta and half of the cheese.
- Coat to combine.
- Serve hot with remaining Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition information has been calculated using an autogenerating online calculation and is intended for informational purposes. For accurate nutritional information, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used.
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If pasta night is a regular thing in your house too, here are a few more recipes to try next: