Penne Pomodoro
Penne Pomodoro is a delicious pasta dish that’s super simple to make with only a few simple ingredients but delivers big on flavor. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, this dish is a winner!
I love serving this pasta dish with my sourdough discard focaccia to soak up all that delicious sauce!
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had those nights where you’re staring into your pantry, trying to figure out what to cook. You want something easy, FAST, delicious, and not too fancy.
Well, say hello to Penne Pomodoro! This dish is the answer to all your dinner dilemmas. It's simple, comforting, and bursting with fresh flavors. Plus, it’s a total crowd-pleaser, even for the pickiest eaters.
Penne Pomodoro is one of those recipes that’s super simple but delivers big on flavor. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, this dish is a winner!
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What is Penne al Pomodoro?
Let’s talk about what Penne Pomodoro actually is. “Pomodoro” means tomato in Italian, and this dish is all about that fresh, vibrant tomato flavor. It’s a classic Italian pasta dish that’s made with penne (that tube-shaped pasta you’ve probably got sitting in your pantry right now) and a simple tomato sauce. Unlike its richer cousin, marinara, Pomodoro sauce is lighter and fresher, perfect for a quick and easy dinner.
Penne Pomodoro Ingredients
- Penne. One box of your favorite pasta. You can use whole wheat, gluten free, or regular pasta.
- Olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is great.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic will give the best flavor.
- Tomatoes. One 28 ounce can of whole tomatoes. If you can find San Marzano, use those as they have the most flavor.
- Basil. During the Summer, basil is everywhere. This is a great recipe to use that fresh basil right out of your garden.
- Parmesan cheese. Shredded or grated. Pecorino Romano, Parmigiana Reggiano, or your favorite hard cheese will work here.
Be sure to check out the printable recipe card for full recipe information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Penne Pomodoro Pasta
Making penne pomodoro is super easy! Here's how you do it!
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Don’t forget to save a cup of pasta water before draining—it’s like liquid gold!
Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn it!
Step 3: Pour in the tomatoes and stir. Crush the large tomatoes with the back of a spoon of you can use an immersion blender. Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Once the pasta is done, add it directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat, adding some of that reserved pasta water if the sauce needs to loosen up a bit. Stir in the fresh basil and parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about Penne Pomodoro is how versatile it is. You can keep it classic or change it up a bit. Here are a few ideas:
Make it vegan! Use a plant-based Parmesan cheese or simply skip the cheese. The rest of the ingredients are already vegan-friendly.
Add some protein. Toss in some cooked chicken, shrimp, or even Italian sausage.
Make it spicy. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you sauté the garlic.
Add veggies. Sauté up some mushrooms, zucchini, red peppers, or spinach and add it to the pasta sauce.
Creamy twist. Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta for a richer sauce.
Penne Pomodoro Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta! Al dente pasta is the way to go. It should still have a bit of bite to it, so it holds up well in the sauce.
- Use good-quality tomatoes. The better your tomatoes, the better your sauce. San Marzano tomatoes are a great choice if you can find them in your local grocery store.
- Save that pasta water. Adding a splash to the sauce helps it cling to the pasta and makes everything saucy and smooth.
- Go heavy on the basil. Fresh basil is key in this dish. Add some during cooking and a little more on top for garnish.
- Serve with crusty bread. Because, let’s be honest, you can never have too much bread! I love sourdough bread in a Dutch oven, sourdough breadsticks, and even sourdough French bread with this pasta.
Lynn's Tip!
Penne is common in this dish, but you can use whatever pasta you want. Spaghetti is another great option as is rotini.
How to Store Penne Pasta Pomodoro
Store leftovers in an airtight container and microwave or gently reheat them on the stove.
You can even make this ahead of time! The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat it gently and toss it with freshly cooked pasta.
What to Serve with Penne Pomodoro
This is a perfect main course or meatless Monday recipe, here are some delicious recipes to serve alongside your penne pomodoro:
- Garlic bread. Everything is better with some garlic bread!
- Sauteed Eggplant. Eggplant and tomatoes go together perfectly.
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs. For a protein to go along with this pasta.
- Sourdough focaccia. To soak up that yummy sauce.
- Salad. Caesar salad or garden salad are great choices.
- Steamed asparagus. Bulk up the veggies with some simple steamed asparagus.
- Sourdough discard dinner rolls. With some butter, they would be delicious with this pasta!
Pomodoro Penne FAQs
Absolutely! If you’ve got fresh tomatoes on hand, especially in the summer, use them! You’ll need about 4-5 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped. It might take a little longer to cook down, but the fresh flavor is worth it.
It’s pretty light compared to other pasta dishes, especially if you keep it simple. You can make it even healthier by using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.
If you would like thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce. You can also add a spoonful of tomato paste or a little grated Parmesan to help thicken the sauce.
More Pasta Recipes
📖 Recipe
Penne Pomodoro Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Pasta
- 28 oz Can of Whole Tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 Garlic Cloves Minced
- ½ cup Fresh Basil
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese Plus more for garnishing
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Don’t forget to save a cup of pasta water before draining.
- As the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until it becomes fragrant, but keep an eye on it to avoid burning!
- Add the tomatoes and give them a good stir. You can crush any large tomato pieces with the back of a spoon or use an immersion blender for a smoother texture. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- When the pasta is ready, transfer it straight to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce needs to loosen up. Mix in the fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, then serve right away.
Notes
- This is a great meatless Monday recipe, but you can sauté some shrimp, chicken, or sausage to add some protein to this dish.
- Penne is a classic pasta to use in this pasta dish, but you can use spaghetti, rotini, farfalle, or your favorite pasta.
- This is a great place to use whole wheat pasta or your favorite gluten free pasta too!
- Bulk up this recipe with some sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, red onion, red pepper, or your favorite veggies.
