Description
This Penne Pomodoro is a classic, simple Italian pasta dish featuring al dente penne tossed in a flavorful tomato sauce made from pureed tomatoes, fresh herbs, and garlic. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners, delivering wholesome comfort with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan.
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 (tomato purée UK)
- 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, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Sauté Garlic and Herbs: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic, fresh parsley, fresh basil, and dried oregano. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add the pureed tomatoes (passata) and tomato paste to the skillet with the garlic and herbs. Stir well to combine and simmer gently on low heat for about 8 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained al dente penne to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help emulsify the sauce and achieve a silky texture.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in some additional fresh chopped basil for a vibrant flavor. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil leaves and freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- This Penne Pomodoro is a quick and simple tomato pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights, taking just 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Using fresh herbs and high-quality pureed tomatoes creates a vibrant and flavorful sauce.
- Reserving pasta water helps bind the sauce to the pasta, enhancing texture and flavor.
- Parmesan garnish adds a rich, savory element, but it can be omitted for a vegetarian option.
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
