This Pioneer Woman Arrabiata Sauce is a spicy and simple recipe, which is made with crushed red pepper flakes and white wine. It’s the perfect make-ahead pasta sauce, ready in about 50 minutes.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Arrabiata Sauce Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small to medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- Two 15-ounce (425 g) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- Pinch of sugar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How To Make Pioneer Woman Arrabiata Sauce
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until the onion has softened and the garlic is fragrant.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) to deglaze the pan. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Let the liquid simmer and cook until it has reduced by about half.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and the Italian seasoning. Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
- Develop Flavors: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
- Serve or Store: Use the sauce immediately with your favorite pasta, or let it cool completely before storing.

Recipe Tips
- How to get the best flavor? For the richest, most authentic flavor, use high-quality crushed tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are an excellent option if you can find them.
- How to control the spice level? “Arrabiata” means “angry” in Italian, referring to the sauce’s heat. If you like it extra spicy, feel free to add more crushed red pepper flakes. If you prefer a milder sauce, start with half the amount.
- Can I use fresh herbs? Yes, for an extra burst of freshness, stir in some chopped fresh basil or parsley at the very end of the cooking time.
- Why let the sauce simmer? Don’t rush the simmering process. Allowing the sauce to simmer gently for the full 30 minutes is crucial for developing a rich, cohesive, and deeply flavorful sauce.
What To Serve With Arrabiata Sauce
This spicy tomato sauce is a classic pairing for many Italian dishes.
- Toss with penne pasta for a traditional “Penne all’Arrabiata.”
- Use as a dipping sauce for garlic bread or mozzarella sticks.
- Serve as a base for chicken or eggplant Parmesan.
- Spoon over grilled Italian sausages.
How To Store Arrabiata Sauce
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: This sauce freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then divide it into portions in freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Arrabiata Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 562 kcal
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sodium: 1500mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used. The calorie count likely includes a serving of pasta.
FAQs
What does u0022deglazeu0022 mean?
Deglazing is a cooking technique where you add a liquid (like wine or broth) to a hot pan to release the flavorful caramelized bits (the u0022fondu0022) that are stuck to the bottom after sautéing.
What kind of white wine is best?
A dry, crisp white wine like a Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or an unoaked Chardonnay is perfect for this sauce. If you prefer not to use alcohol, chicken or vegetable broth is a great substitute.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can. You would need about 2 pounds of fresh, ripe tomatoes (like Roma or San Marzano). You would need to peel, seed, and crush them first.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Fry Sauce Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Tartar Sauce Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Pioneer Woman Arrabiata Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes30
minutes562
kcalA classic, spicy Italian tomato sauce made with garlic, onions, and a generous amount of crushed red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
Ingredients
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
2 (15-oz) cans crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
Pinch of sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a pan, sauté red pepper flakes, garlic, and onion in olive oil until soft.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine and let it reduce by half.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low for 30 minutes.
- Serve hot with pasta or let cool to store.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use high-quality crushed tomatoes like San Marzano.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Letting the sauce simmer for the full 30 minutes is key to developing a rich flavor.
- This sauce freezes very well for future meals.