Penne Arrabiata or Penne Arrabbiata is a popular pasta dish that uses tomatoes as the main ingredient in the sauce. The best thing about this rustic and simple recipe is that it is vegan friendly and that it uses pantry staples. If you have an Instant Pot, consider your job half done because then it transforms into this ridiculously easy but incredibly delicious one pot meal. Less dishes in the sink is definitely a win, right?
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Ingredients
Olive oil
Like all pasta, this too begins with olive oil. While you can always substitute this with any neutral flavored vegetable oil, I highly recommend using good quality olive oil for an amazing flavor.
Garlic and onions
This recipe is incomplete without garlic. I mean, can we make a mean pasta without garlic? Get the drift, right? Lots of garlic and some finely chopped onions are the base for this minimal pasta. As for the onions, white ones are great in this recipe.
Canned tomatoes
If you have to name your top 5 pantry essentials, what are they? Tell me in the comments. Mine are garlic, canned chickpeas, canned black beans, canned tomatoes and tomato paste, though not necessarily in that order.
To make this pasta, we need canned crushed tomatoes. For this particular recipe, I have used canned crushed Italian tomatoes that have basil and garlic added to them. You can use the regular canned crushed tomatoes as well.
Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is simply magic. When I am out of fresh tomatoes, I even use it to make Rasam. In recipes that have a pronounced tomato flavor, tomato paste is that ingredient which brings the tomato flavor to the front stage.
You may be wondering why tomato paste and crushed tomatoes together? The reason is the both have different flavors and texture even though the main ingredient is the same. Tomato paste has a sweetness to it that rounds out the otherwise tart taste of this pasta so well.
Seasoning and Aromatics
Remember this recipe is a minimal one. To justify that and to keep the light shining on this gorgeous Arrabbiata sauce, we will use some Italian herbs, freshly cracked black pepper, chili flakes and sugar along with salt for seasoning and aromatics.
Pasta
Penne is our favorite short pasta. It works well with this dish in particular. I have used regular penne pasta. Arrabbiata works best with this tubular pasta. In fact, penne is your best bet with pesto, marinara and this sauce.
You can also use Fusilli in its place. Since this is an Instant pot recipe, please keep a tab on the cooking time and choose pasta that has a similar cooking time to penne.
Water
Stock or water- this is an endless debate that goes on in my head when I am cooking soup or pasta. And the struggle is real. But well, there is an exception to every case. And this recipe happens to be one.
Stock has a flavor on its own and somewhere deep inside me, I knew that I did not want this flavor to come through in this recipe. That is why, I just settled on cooking this pasta with water.
Dietary Specifications
Usually, this dish is served with a generous garnish of Parmigiano or Pecorino. But for the cheese garnish, this dish in itself is vegan. So, if you are looking for a vegan pasta recipe, you just met your best mate.
If you like a cheesy creamy pasta, then go ahead, bring out that cheese grater and start shredding that Pecorino. Because this pasta is heavenly with Parmigiano or Pecorino.
The day I made this dish, I did not have either of the cheese. So I ended up adding grated parmesan. Yep. I know it sounds like a blasphemy but the resident elf wont eat pasta without cheese. So I did what I had to.
Pro Tips for Instant Pot Pasta
- The thumb rule for cooking pasta in Instant Pot is simple and works well in most cases. Half the cooking time mentioned in the packaging, cook on high pressure and do a quick pressure release. However, a caveat- this method is not failproof for all pasta types.
- Do not stir the pasta too much once you add the water.
- You have to be very careful about the timings. Even 1 minute more means over cooked pasta.
- Instant Pot pasta is best eaten immediately. As soon as the pasta is done, remove from the inner pot and transfer to a serving dish. If the pasta is kept in the Instant Pot, it tends to cook further in the residual heat and softens up.
- While making pasta in the Instant Pot, use measurements and be very precise. I recommend using a set of measuring spoons and cups or a weighing scale.
Method
Steps 1 and 2
Insert the inner pot into the Instant pot, plug in the IP and press SAUTE mode on NORMAL. Set the timer to 7 minutes. Wait for the DISPLAY TO READ HOT. When it does, add the olive oil. After 30 seconds, tip in the garlic and mix well.
Steps 3 & 4
When the garlic has begun to brown, add the finely chopped onions and mix well. Saute the onions till they come soft and translucent. This takes about 1 m and 30 seconds.
Steps 5 & 6
When the onions have become soft and translucent, add the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, mix and stir well to combine.
Steps 7 & 8
Add the seasonings- crushed black pepper, dried Italian herbs, sugar, chili flakes and salt. Stir well to combine.
Steps 9 & 10
Tip in 1 pound pasta. Add water. Stir just once. PRESS CANCEL.
Steps 11 & 12
Ensure that the sealing has been fitted properly into the Instant Pot lid. Close the lid and turn the VALVE to SEALING. Now, press PRESSURE COOK- HIGH PRESSURE and set the TIMER to 4 MINUTES.
Steps 13 & 14
Wait for the cooking cycle to complete fully. When done, quick release pressure by turning the VALVE to VENTING. Open and mix gently once.
Transfer to serving bowls, top with grated parmesan cheese (skip if you want a vegan version) and chili flakes. Serve hot.
More One Pot Meals
Penne Arrabiata
Equipment
- 1 6 quart Instant Pot
- 1 ladle
- 1 set measuring cups and spoons or weighing scale
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2.5 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 cup finely chopped white onions
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Salt or adjust to taste
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1.25 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 3.5 cups water
Suggested toppings
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan or Pecorino (please read blog post for more details)
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
Instructions
- Insert the inner pot into the Instant pot, plug in the IP and press SAUTE mode on NORMAL.
- Set the timer to 7 minutes. Wait for the DISPLAY TO READ HOT.
- When it does, add the olive oil.
- After 30 seconds, tip in the garlic and mix well.
- When the garlic has begun to brown, add the finely chopped onions and mix well.
- Sauté the onions till they come soft and translucent. This takes about 1 m and 30 seconds.
- When the onions have become soft and translucent, add the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, mix and stir well to combine.
- Add the seasonings- crushed black pepper, dried Italian herbs, sugar, chili flakes and salt. Stir well to combine.
- Tip in 1 pound pasta. Add water. Stir just once. PRESS CANCEL.
- Ensure that the sealing has been fitted properly into the Instant Pot lid.
- Close the lid and turn the VALVE to SEALING.
- Now, press PRESSURE COOK- HIGH PRESSURE and set the TIMER to 4 MINUTES.
- Wait for the cooking cycle to complete fully.
- When done, quick release pressure by turning the VALVE to VENTING.
- Open and mix gently once.
- Transfer to serving bowls, top with grated parmesan cheese (skip if you want a vegan version) and chili flakes.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- The thumb rule for cooking pasta in Instant Pot is simple and works well in most cases. Half the cooking time mentioned in the packaging, cook on high pressure and do a quick pressure release. However, a caveat- this method is not failproof for all pasta types.
- Do not stir the pasta too much once you add the water.
- You have to be very careful about the timings. Even 1 minute more means over cooked pasta.
- Instant Pot pasta is best eaten immediately. As soon as the pasta is done, remove from the inner pot and transfer to a serving dish. If the pasta is kept in the Instant Pot, it tends to cook further in the residual heat and softens up.
- While making pasta in the Instant Pot, use measurements and be very precise. I recommend using a set of measuring spoons and cups or a weighing scale.
- Instant pot timings may vary based on geographic location.
- Nutritional values are provided here as a courtesy. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any health concerns.
For Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
Instant Pot timings may vary based on your geographic location. Air fryer settings and timings may vary based on the capacity and the model of the Air fryer.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are provided here as a courtesy and are only a rough guide. Please consult a health care provider if you have any concerns.
Nutrition
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This pasta is so delicious! As I’m vegan, I substituted Parmesan with favourite vegan cheese and it turned out really good. Will definitely be making this again, really loved this recipe!