Baked Penne Arrabbiata (Print Version)

Spicy Italian pasta layered with creamy cheeses and baked until golden and bubbling.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
04 - 1 to 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
05 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 1 tsp sugar
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped (reserve some for garnish)

→ Cheese

11 - ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a large baking dish.
02 - Boil penne in salted water until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper flakes; sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant without browning.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
05 - Remove sauce from heat and stir in chopped basil.
06 - Add drained penne to the sauce and toss thoroughly to combine.
07 - Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Add remaining pasta and top with remaining cheeses.
08 - Bake for 18–20 minutes until cheese is melted, golden, and sauce bubbles.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with reserved basil, and serve warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • One dish, minimal cleanup, and your guests get a warm, golden-topped pasta that feels restaurant-worthy.
  • The heat from red pepper flakes sneaks up on you in the best way—fiery without being brutal.
  • It's forgiving; you can prep it ahead and bake when you're ready, turning chaos into calm.
02 -
  • Undercook the pasta intentionally—it will continue cooking in the oven and finish perfectly al dente instead of turning to mush.
  • Taste your tomato sauce before it meets the pasta; this is your only chance to adjust the heat and seasoning without affecting everything.
  • Don't skip the 5-minute rest after baking; it sounds small, but it makes the difference between a loose mixture and a cohesive dish.
03 -
  • Make this dish ahead of time; assemble everything up to the baking step, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5–10 minutes to bake time if it goes straight from fridge to oven.
  • If the cheese isn't browning but the pasta seems done, cover the dish loosely with foil and bake a few minutes longer, then remove the foil to finish.
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