Description
Jamie Oliver’s Penne Arrabbiata is a fiery, flavorful dish that combines the simple, rustic charm of Italian cooking with a touch of heat.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Penne Arrabbiata:
- 3 to 4 fresh red chillies, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cans (14.5 oz / 400g each) quality chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 mL) organic vegetable stock
- 4 cups (320 g) penne pasta
- A bunch of fresh basil, leaves picked and torn
- 1/2 cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- Optional: 1/4 Scotch bonnet chilli, very finely chopped
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
For the Pangrattato (Toasted Breadcrumb Topping):
- 1/2 cup (60 g) sourdough or ciabatta breadcrumbs
- A bunch of mixed fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, and rosemary), leaves picked and chopped
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- A lug (about 2 tablespoons) of extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the Pangrattato:
- Preheat your grill or broiler to high.
- In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, chopped mixed herbs, finely chopped garlic, and a lug (about 2 tablespoons) of extra virgin olive oil until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
- Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly on a baking tray.
- Toast under the grill for 2 to 4 minutes, or until lightly golden and crispy, giving the tray a shake halfway through to ensure even toasting. Set aside.
Make the Arrabbiata Sauce:
- In a large pan, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped chillies and garlic, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Pour in the chopped tomatoes and vegetable stock, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook gently for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Cook the Penne:
- While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually 10-12 minutes).
- Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Combine and Serve:
- Add the drained penne pasta and most of the torn basil leaves to the tomato sauce.
- Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring well to coat the pasta with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it.
- Divide the pasta among your plates, then top with the grated Parmesan cheese, remaining basil leaves, a sprinkle of Scotch bonnet chilli (if using), and a generous amount of the crispy pangrattato.
- Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pangrattato: This Italian term refers to toasted, flavored breadcrumbs often used as a crunchy topping for pasta dishes.
- Garlic: The recipe lists 6 cloves of garlic for the sauce. The additional 1 clove listed is used in the pangrattato.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chillies to suit your spice tolerance. For a milder dish, reduce the number of chillies or omit the Scotch bonnet.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg