Spicy Seafood Penne Arrabbiata with Sambal Tomato

Spicy Seafood Penne Arrabbiata with Sambal Tomato

If you love bold, spicy flavours, this is not your average arrabbiata. We’re taking it up a notch with our spicy dry seasoning and sambal tomato, then loading it with juicy prawns and mussels for that rich, seafood umami.

It’s simple, fast, and tastes like something you’d order at a café — but better.

Bold, spicy, and seriously satisfying.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

  • 200g penne pasta
  • 6–8 prawns (peeled & deveined)
  • 10–12 mussels (cleaned)
  • 3–4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ onion (sliced)
  • 2 fresh tomatoes (diced)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2–3 tbsp sambal tomato
  • 1–2 tsp spicy dry seasoning (plus extra for prawns)
  • Salt & pepper
  • Dried oregano
  • Basil
  • ½ cup pasta water (reserved)
  • Grated cheese (optional)

👩🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.

2. Season the prawns
Toss prawns with spicy dry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

3. Sauté the base
Heat olive oil in a pan. Add onions and cook until soft and slightly caramelised.
Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.

4. Build the base
Add diced tomatoes and cook until they soften and break down slightly.

5. Cook the seafood
Add the seasoned prawns and cook until just pink.
Add mussels, cover, and cook until they open. Remove and set aside briefly.

6. Build the sauce
Add sambal tomato + tomato paste + spicy dry seasoning into the pan together.
Stir well and let it cook briefly to combine and deepen the flavour.

Add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.

7. Combine everything
Return the seafood to the pan, add cooked penne, and toss until everything is well coated.

8. Final touch
Season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed. Top with cheese if desired.

🔥 Why This Works

  • Onions + fresh tomatoes create a natural sweetness and base
  • Sambal tomato + tomato paste give both heat and depth
  • Spicy dry seasoning on prawns builds flavour from the start
  • Seafood juices enhance the sauce naturally
  • Pasta water creates that silky finish

💡 Pro Tips

  • Let the tomatoes cook down properly for a richer sauce
  • Don’t overcook the seafood — keep prawns juicy
  • Add more sambal if you want it extra spicy 🔥
  • Toss the pasta well so every piece is coated

🍽️ Serving Idea

Serve hot with extra sambal on the side and a sprinkle of cheese or herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or when you want something bold and comforting.

Rich, spicy, and packed with seafood — this is arrabbiata, upgraded the Honshitsu way 🔥



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