There’s just something about fall and winter that makes me crave a big, hearty bowl of pasta—and this Spicy Penne with Ground Beef (Arrabbiata-Style) checks all the boxes. It’s warm, comforting, a little fiery, and packed with flavor, which makes it the perfect dish to keep in your back pocket for chilly weeknights.

The best part? It comes together with simple, budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have on hand: pasta, ground beef, canned tomatoes, garlic, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for that signature kick.

I love recipes like this because they’re as easy as they are versatile. You can whip it up in under an hour for a no-fuss family dinner, but it also works beautifully for meal prep. The sauce actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld together, so it’s ideal for packing into lunchboxes—whether it’s a cozy back-to-school lunch for the kids or a satisfying heat-and-eat meal to take to the office. Plus, it reheats like a dream and keeps that stick-to-your-ribs heartiness that makes cold-weather cooking so special.

So if you’re looking for a simple, soul-warming recipe that delivers big flavor without a lot of fuss, this spicy beefy pasta is just what you need. One bite and you’ll see why it’s a fall and winter favorite in my kitchen.

Spicy Penne with Ground Beef (Arrabbiata-Style)

Recipe by Salvia

Servings

4-6

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

This hearty and fiery pasta dish, featuring spicy tomato sauce and savory ground beef, is a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

1 pound Penne pasta (or Rigatoni/Ziti)
1 pound Lean Ground Beef
4 tablespoons Olive Oil, divided
1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped (optional)
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 to 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (use more or less depending on desired heat)
1 (28-ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon Salt (plus more for pasta water)
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 cup fresh Basil or Italian Parsley, chopped, for garnish
Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese, for serving

Directions

Brown the Beef:
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, deep pot or skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s completely browned. Drain off any excess fat and set the beef aside.
Sauté Aromatics:
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. If using, add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft.
Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Simmer the Sauce:
Stir the cooked ground beef back into the pot.
Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper.
Bring the sauce to a low simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook gently for 15-20 minutes.
Cook the Pasta:
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
Add the penne and cook until al dente (firm to the bite). Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.
Combine:
Drain the pasta and add it directly to the pot with the sauce. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water.
Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes over low heat; the starch in the water will help the sauce coat the pasta beautifully.
Serve:
Stir in half of the fresh basil or parsley.
Serve immediately, topping each bowl with the remaining fresh herbs and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

What to Serve with Spicy Penne with Ground Beef

One of the best parts about pasta night is building out the table with a few simple sides and extras that make the meal feel complete. Since this dish is bold and hearty, I like pairing it with recipes that either balance the spice with something fresh and cool, or lean into cozy comfort food vibes—depending on the occasion.

For a family dinner, I always reach for something crisp and refreshing to lighten things up. A bowl of broccoli salad adds that crunchy texture and just the right amount of sweetness to balance the heat of the arrabbiata-style sauce. If you want something that holds well for meal prep and packed lunches the next day, pickled cucumbers are a perfect choice—they add a tangy crunch that brightens every bite.

If you’re hosting a friends’ gathering or game night, you’ll want to serve a few cozy, crowd-pleasing sides. A tray of garlic bread is an absolute must—everyone loves tearing into warm bread with buttery, garlicky flavor, and it’s perfect for mopping up extra sauce. To make the meal feel extra seasonal and festive, I like adding a apple salad to the spread. It’s colorful, fresh, and feels a little fancy without much effort.

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And of course, no dinner party is complete without dessert. If it’s fall, you can’t go wrong with pumpkin chocolate chip cookies—soft, spiced, and just the right amount of sweet to end the meal on a cozy note. For a more classic route, a homemade apple pie will make your pasta night feel like a true comfort-food feast.

And that’s my take on this hearty Spicy Penne with Ground Beef—a cozy, spicy pasta dish that works just as well for a weeknight family dinner as it does for meal prep or a casual get-together with friends. I’ve shared what I love to pair it with and how it fits into my fall and winter cooking routine.

Now I’d love to hear from you—how would you serve it in your kitchen?