11 Delicious Penne Pasta Recipes To Make Any Weeknight
11 Delicious Penne Pasta Recipes To Make Any Weeknight
If you’re looking for some penne pasta recipe inspiration, you’re in the right place.
Penne pasta is one of the most popular and recognizable pasta shapes in all the world. In fact, you probably have some in your pantry right now. (If not, this is your reminder to grab some!) This iconic short cut is named for its “quill” (or “pen”) shape. Classified as a tube pasta, penne is more narrow and longer than Rigatoni. Its hollow center, outer ridges and angled ends make it the perfect pasta for capturing sauces—from hearty meat ragùs to creamy tomato sauces like Penne alla Vodka.
It’s no wonder that penne pasta is so popular. It’s a versatile short cut that dazzles a myriad of dishes for every season and every occasion. When we think of winter comfort foods, cheesy baked pasta with penne is at the top of our list. In summertime, penne gets its feature in picnic pasta salads—both creamy macaroni salads and the kind dressed in olive oil and Italian seasonings. Penne shines in simple dishes too. Cook up some al dente penne pasta then dress it in olive oil, ground black pepper and grated Parmesan cheese for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Whether you are planning an easy weeknight meal for the family or cooking up something impressive for your weekend dinner guests, penne is your go-to pasta. Its slim tube shape and pointed ends give it a touch of class—don’t you think?
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This penne pasta recipe is the perfect summer meal, a variation of the iconic Italian classic. Ready in under 10 minutes, this quick and easy pasta dish features ripe cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and our Penne Rigate pasta cooked to the perfect al dente bite. Serve it hot or as a cold pasta salad.
Looking to try something new with your favorite penne pasta? This prize winning recipe combines mildly sweet and nutty pistachios with a rich and buttery cream sauce. The addition of garlic, lemon and grated Parmesan cheese takes it to the next level. Pasta night will never be the same!
This penne pasta recipe is a summer meal in a bowl. Brighten up your standard chicken dinner with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, Parmesan and a generous drizzle of our sticky-sweet Balsamic Glaze.
You can take a trip to the Caribbean… or you can try this jerk chicken pasta recipe. Spice-rubbed chicken breasts come together with a flavorful sauté of peppers and onions. Don’t forget the penne pasta and that lovable cream sauce. We bet you haven’t had a chicken pasta recipe quite like this before.
Crisp, colorful and loaded with big Mediterranean flavors, this vegan pasta salad is sure to be a hit with everyone. We toss chewy al dente penne pasta with crunchy Romaine, red onion, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers and a super simple homemade vinaigrette. Purple-hued Calamata olives add a briny, tangy punch to this soon-to-be-favorite picnic pasta.
We love this penne pasta recipe as an end-of-summer hoorah. If you’ve got a garden of ripe zucchini ready to use, we’ve got a dish for you. Two types of zucchini squash—yellow and green—are at the heart of this veggie-loaded pasta recipe. The brown butter breadcrumbs are a savory, garlicky and irresistible way to top it all off. It’s a great Meatless Monday meal idea!
Wait until you get a load of this creamy vegan pasta sauce! If you love “pink” pasta sauce, or creamy tomato pasta sauce, you’re going to love this one. Whole-wheat penne pasta is cooked to the perfect al dente bite, then paired with a smooth and spicy pasta sauce of roasted cauliflower, tomato Arrabbiata, roasted red peppers and cashews. It’s a penne recipe you have to try to believe!
Comfort food and fresh come together in this dreamy penne pasta recipe. Whole-wheat penne noodles are the star alongside sautéed chicken, fragrant basil pesto, earthy spinach and red-ripe cherry tomatoes. We top it off with melty mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses for the grown-up baked pasta of your dreams.
If you’re bored with your typical pasta night routine, allow us to shake things up with this beautiful, briny tuna penne recipe. Italian tuna and al dente penne noodles come together with slick and briny oil-cured olives, sunny-sweet tomatoes, chopped parsley and a kiss of lemon zest. It’s a Mediterranean masterpiece and it comes together in 40 minutes.
When you think of baked pasta, you probably picture that predictable casserole dish of macaroni and cheese. It’s delicious and nostalgic, of course, but sometimes you crave more oomph. This penne pasta recipe has all that oomph and then some: roasted veggies, fresh garlic, ricotta cheese, sticky-sweet balsamic and ooey gooey mozzarella.
You aren’t dreaming. A pizza this unique and delicious can only be homemade. Our super easy Pizza Dough Kit means you can create pizzeria-style pizza at home. What better way to top the perfect crust than with penne pasta, a rich tomato sauce and zesty slices of pepperoni? Is it a pizza? Is it a pasta? You’ll just have to try it to find out.