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.