Spicy Sauce Penne
A flavorful spicy penne dish featuring a rich tomato sauce enhanced with olives, pine nuts, capers, anchovies, and fresh parsley, perfect for a quick, savory meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the spaghetti sauce, black olives, pine nuts, capers, chopped anchovy fillets, and chopped Italian parsley.
- Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes.
- Toss the sauce with cooked penne pasta and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding red pepper flakes or fresh chopped chili peppers to the sauce. If you don't have anchovy fillets, a splash of Worcestershire sauce can provide a similar umami flavor. You can also substitute the pine nuts with walnuts or sunflower seeds if needed. Make sure to rinse the capers well to reduce their saltiness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Spicy Sauce Penne with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a side of garlic bread for a hearty meal. A fresh green salad, such as Antipasto Salad(From The Simply Italian Recipe Book), pairs beautifully with this dish. For an extra touch, add a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta and sauce in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or olive oil to prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Sauce Penne contains roughly 495 calories, with 23g protein, 70g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (45% of the Daily Value) and iron (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1486mg per serving (65% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this Spicy Sauce Penne vegetarian by omitting the anchovies. You can enhance the flavor with additional olives and capers, and consider adding mushrooms or bell peppers for more depth.
What type of spaghetti sauce should I use?
You can use any jarred spaghetti sauce you prefer, but for the best flavor, choose a sauce that is rich and made with quality ingredients. A marinara or arrabbiata sauce would work well for this recipe.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While penne works great, you can substitute it with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly based on the pasta shape you choose.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).