Description
One Pot Penne Pasta: Easy, flavorful dish with penne, juicy tomatoes, basil, and melted mozzarella. Quick, comforting, crowd-pleasing meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450g) penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz/411g) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups (950ml) vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons (30g) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup (15g) fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
Instructions
- ‘Step 1: Prepare Your Base Heat olive oil in a large, deep pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and become translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown. Add the diced red bell pepper and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften.
- Step 2: Build The Flavor FoundationStir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute, allowing it to caramelize slightly. This step intensifies the tomato flavor throughout your dish. Add the dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine everything and allow the herbs to bloom in the oil for about 30 seconds, releasing their essential oils and flavors.
- Step 3: Add Pasta And LiquidsAdd the dry penne pasta to the pot and stir to coat it with the aromatic oil and herbs. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the vegetable or chicken broth. Give everything a good stir to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot and all the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Step 4: Simmer To PerfectionBring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot partially with a lid, allowing some steam to escape. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Keep an eye on the liquid level – the pasta should absorb most of it but still have enough to create a sauce. If it seems too dry, add a splash more broth.
- Step 5: Finish And ServeWhen the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Let the One Pot Penne Pasta rest for 2-3 minutes off the heat, then sprinkle with fresh chopped basil. Serve immediately in warm bowls with additional Parmesan cheese on the side.
- ‘
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 10mg