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!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

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)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and red chili flakes, and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Step 6

Stir in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

Step 7

Add the cooked penne to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce.

Step 8

Stir in the fresh chopped basil and cook for 1-2 minutes more to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1525.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1838.6

Total Fat 42.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 20mg	0%
Sodium 2798.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 313.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.9g	0%
Total Sugars 36.1g
Protein 62.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 482.3mg	0%
Iron 21.8mg	0%
Potassium 3024.3mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 20.2%

Protein: 13.2%

Carbs: 66.6%