Description
This Penne Pomodoro recipe is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring al dente penne pasta tossed in a simple yet flavorful tomato sauce made with pureed tomatoes, garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of tomato paste. Garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan, it’s a quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights.
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
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In a skillet or frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic, fresh parsley, dried oregano, and fresh basil. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, taking care not to burn it.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in the pureed tomatoes (passata) and tomato paste into the skillet. Mix well to combine all ingredients. Let the sauce simmer gently while the pasta cooks, about 8 minutes, to develop flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta and add it to the simmering tomato sauce in the skillet. Toss or stir the pasta well to coat with the sauce. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help emulsify the sauce and create a silky texture.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in some freshly chopped basil to the pasta just before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- This Penne Pomodoro is the simplest tomato pasta recipe featuring an easy, flavorful tomato sauce enhanced by fresh basil leaves.
- The recipe takes about 10 minutes to make, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when short on time.
- Use high-quality passata or pureed tomatoes for the best sauce flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and improve emulsification.
- Parmesan garnish is optional but adds a rich, salty 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
