16 Spicy Pasta Recipes That Will Level Up Any Weeknight Dinner

Everyone knows that pasta is better with sauce, and if you love heat, then spicy sauce is the best way to make pasta taste better. Whether you add crushed red pepper flakes, arugula, spicy sausage or chiles, there are plenty of ways to add heat to pasta dishes—and we've rounded them all up, right here. Aglio olio is typically on the spicy side thanks to the crushed garlic, but this recipe is even spicier thanks to the addition of red pepper flakes. The impressive dish is loaded with flavor and different textures from spaghetti and shrimp, both of which absorb flavors easily and thoroughly. Serve with homemade tomato and onion salad.

Alex Guarnaschelli says, "Arrabiata in Italian simply means “angry” and references the excessive spicy notes this sauce traditionally has. Do not feel the need to go beyond what you like. If you like it milder, halve the amount or even omit the red pepper flakes from the sauce. While marinara sauce is also a classic tomato-based pasta sauce, I always see arrabiata as marinara’s angry (spicy) cousin."

This simple dish takes just 20 minutes from start to finish. First, cook the penne in salted boiling water. Next, sauté garlic and onions, then add crushed tomatoes, red chile flakes and Italian seasoning. Simple and spicy, this easy dinner is perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

This simple dish is packed with protein, thanks to the healthy crab meat. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and easy dinner that’s loaded with flavor. Fresno chile peppers add heat, while lemon, garlic, mint and dill add vibrant, zesty flavor.

The hearty base of this flavor-packed pasta starts with tender, toothsome poached chicken. Layered with browned spicy sausage, mushrooms and peppers, simple dish is loaded with hearty vegetables and spicy flavor. Pro tip? Save the poaching liquid and use it to cook the spaghetti.

In this recipe, crushed tomatoes combine with hot sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion, and freshly-ground black pepper to make a super spicy sauce that’s pleasantly chunky. Toss the sauce with al-dente spaghetti and pair with super-sized meatballs. A combination of ground pork, ground beef and herbs, these hearty meatballs make for the perfect complement to the spicy spaghetti.

Macaroni and cheese is an easy crowd pleaser, no matter who you’re hosting. But if you’re guests crave a little extra heat, try this spicy macaroni and cheese recipe. It’s creamy and cheesy with fiery flavor from dry mustard and cayenne pepper.

This easy weeknight dinner is loaded with fiber and protein and feeds a family of four with just one 8-ounce piece of fish. And thanks to the whole-grain pasta, it’s a hearty dish that packs extra nutrients. Read in under an hour, it’s a fantastic option for a busy weeknight.

This elegant dish is perfect for seafood lovers who want a bit of extra spice. Sweet, tender lobster tails serve as the star of the meal, and they’re made even tastier by the flavorful sauce they’re simmered in. Crushed tomatoes, dry white wine, Fresno chiles, garlic and onion are the secret to the savory sauce. Serve with spaghetti and a bit of chopped fresh parsley.

This simple, 6-ingredient pasta gets just the right amount of heat, courtesy of fresh garlic and jarred Calabrian chile peppers. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's the perfect weeknight dinner for anyone who likes to keep things spicy!

This isn’t your typical pasta salad! Packed with heat from adobo sauce, each piece of penne gets coated evenly in coated in creamy, fiery sauce. Fresh tomatoes add juicy, earthy bites of flavor, while bits of smoked Gouda cheese elevate the dish with even more complex flavor.

If you’re looking for a lighter meal that still feels filling and nourishing, these spicy turkey meatballs are the perfect thing. Ground turkey combines with sweet Italian sausage, and thinly sliced prosciutto to make extra meaty meatballs. Serve with al dente spaghetti and a sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan.

This homemade pesto sauce is loaded with fiery flavor from red pepper flakes, garlic and lemon zest. For even more heat, the peppery arugula acts as the flavorful base for the chunky green sauce. To balance out the heat, sweet peas and sundried tomatoes make this salad even more hearty and complex. Serve it chilled with freshly shaved parmesan.

This holiday favorite just got a spicy twist, thanks to the inclusion of crushed red pepper to make it fra diavolo in style. Feel free to mix up the seafood to your family’s favorites—and make it anytime, not just for the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

Crushed red pepper and pepperoncini add a little heat to this pasta salad with ham and an easy vinaigrette. Fresh oregano and torn basil add earthy, herbal flavor, and grape tomatoes add a juicy pop to every bite.