Quagliarella dispatched the resulting spot kick to take his tally to 22 league goals for the season, the most any Sampdoria player has scored in a single campaign since Vincenzo Montella in 1996-97.
The 36-year-old is ahead of AC Milan's Krzysztof Piatek (21 goals), Duvan Zapata of Atalanta (20) and Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo (19) in the scoring charts.
Elsewhere, Fiorentina were held to a 0-0 draw by Bologna as coach Vincenzo Montella began his second spell in charge of the club following Stefano Pioli's resignation last week.
Torino striker Simone Zaza scored before being sent off as his side were held 1-1 at home to Cagliari, while Sassuolo drew 0-0 with Parma.
Torino are in seventh place on 50 points with Sampdoria breathing down their necks in ninth on 48 points. Bologna's draw leaves them three points clear of the relegation zone in 17th place.
Fiorentina are 10th on 40 points with Sassuolo (37) one place behind them. Parma (35) and Genoa (34) are hovering just above the relegation zone in 14th and 15th place, respectively.
(Reporting by Alasdair Mackenzie; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
