Description
Penne Pomodoro is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a simple, flavorful tomato sauce made with pureed tomatoes, garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of tomato paste. Garnished with fresh basil and grated parmesan, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 4 cups penne pasta (400g / 14oz)
Sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1.5 cups pureed tomatoes (passata, 350g)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Garnish
- Freshly grated parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous amount of salt. Cook the penne pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, then reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- Saute Aromatics: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic, fresh parsley, fresh basil, and dried oregano. Saute the garlic until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare the Sauce: Add the pureed tomatoes (passata) and tomato paste to the skillet with the herbs and garlic. Stir to combine and gently simmer the sauce for about 8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta directly into the sauce. Toss or stir to coat all the pasta evenly. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help emulsify the sauce and achieve a silky texture.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in additional fresh chopped basil for vibrant flavor. Serve hot, garnished with freshly grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
- This Penne Pomodoro features an easy, flavor-packed tomato sauce perfect for quick meals.
- The recipe takes just 10 minutes, ideal for busy weeknights or when time is limited.
- Using fresh herbs enhances the vibrant, fresh flavors in the dish.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency and make it creamy without cream.
- Parmesan garnish is optional but adds a nice savory finish to the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 63 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 84 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
