7 Mouth-Watering Penne Pasta Recipes That Will Take Your Taste Buds on a Delicious Italian Adventure

...

If you're looking for a comfort food that satiates your soul while indulging your taste buds, then pasta is the way to go. Among the plethora of pasta varieties, penne pasta stands out for its tube-like shape that makes it perfect for holding on to sauces and flavors. Italian cuisine has given us some of the tastiest and most satisfying pasta dishes, and the following seven penne pasta recipes are must-tries for all pasta lovers.

Ready in under an hour, Penne alla Vodka is a classic dish that combines the rich flavors of tomato sauce, cream, and vodka. Served with grated Parmesan cheese, this dish is simply irresistible. Another quick recipe is Penne with Roasted Tomatoes and Mozzarella, which perfectly balances the sweetness of the tomatoes with the saltiness of mozzarella cheese.

If you love seafood, then Penne with Shrimp, Feta, and Cherry Tomatoes is an excellent choice. The juicy cherry tomatoes give this recipe a fresh pop of flavor, and the shrimps add a succulent texture that will make you feel like you're eating at an Italian beachside restaurant. For vegetarians, there's Penne alla Norma, a vegan version of a famous Sicilian recipe that features eggplant, garlic, and basil.

Sometimes, you need a little spice in your life, and that's where Penne all'Arrabbiata comes in. The word arrabbiata means angry, and this pasta dish is indeed fiery hot. Made with tomato sauce, garlic, chili flakes, and olive oil, this recipe is not for the faint-hearted. Last but not least, Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe is a hearty and healthy meal that balances the bitterness of the broccoli with the savoriness of sausage.

Overall, these 7 Mouth-Watering Penne Pasta Recipes are sure to tantalize your taste buds and take you on a savory Italian adventure. Try them out and pick your favorite. Buon appetito!


7 Mouth-Watering Penne Pasta Recipes That Will Take Your Taste Buds on a Delicious Italian Adventure

Penne pasta is a popular choice because of its versatile flavor, tender texture, and visually appealing shape. Italian cuisine has always been an inspiration for food lovers, and penne pasta with different ingredients and sauces is one mouth-watering example of it. Here are seven penne pasta recipes that will take your taste buds on a delicious Italian adventure.

1. Creamy Mushroom and Chicken Penne

Ingredients:
  1. 500g penne pasta
  2. 250g chicken breast
  3. 200g white mushrooms, sliced
  4. 1 cup heavy cream
  5. 1 onion, chopped
  6. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  7. ½ teaspoon oregano
  8. Salt and pepper to taste
  9. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  10. Grated parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions:
  1. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water, drain, and keep aside.
  2. Cut chicken breasts into small pieces and season with salt and pepper.
  3. In a pan, heat the olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until they become translucent.
  4. Add chicken pieces and cook until they turn golden.
  5. Add mushroom slices, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook until mushrooms give away all their water content.
  6. Reduce the heat and add heavy cream. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes to attain a creamy consistency.
  7. Toss the cooked penne into the sauce and mix well. Serve hot with grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition: Serves 4. Each serving contains approximately 650 calories, 30g protein, 50g carbs, and 36g fat.

2. Penne Arrabbiata

Ingredients:
  1. 500g penne pasta
  2. 2 cans whole peeled tomatoes
  3. 4 garlic cloves, minced
  4. 1 red chili pepper, chopped
  5. Salt and pepper to taste
  6. 3 tablespoons olive oil
  7. Fresh basil leaves for garnishing (optional)
Instructions:
  1. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water, drain, and keep aside.
  2. In a pan, heat olive oil and add garlic and chili pepper.
  3. Saute until garlic becomes golden, then add whole peeled tomatoes to the pan.
  4. Break the tomatoes with a spoon or fork while cooking. Add salt and fresh black pepper and cook for 10-12 minutes.
  5. Add the cooked penne pasta into the sauce and toss well.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.
Nutrition: Serves 4. Each serving contains approximately 450 calories, 10g protein, 80g carbs, and 11g fat.

3. Penne with Vodka Sauce

Ingredients:
  1. 500g penne pasta
  2. 1 can crushed tomatoes
  3. 1 onion, chopped
  4. 4 garlic cloves, minced
  5. 1/2 cup vodka
  6. 1 cup heavy cream
  7. 1 tablespoon dried basil
  8. Salt and pepper to taste
  9. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  10. Grated parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions:
  1. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water, drain, and keep aside.
  2. In a pan, heat the olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until they become translucent.
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes on low heat.
  4. Add vodka, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
  5. Reduce the heat and add heavy cream. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes to attain a creamy consistency.
  6. Toss the cooked penne into the sauce and mix well. Serve hot with grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition: Serves 4. Each serving contains approximately 650 calories, 15g protein, 55g carbs, and 40g fat.

4. Penne with Broccoli and Garlic

Ingredients:
  1. 500g penne pasta
  2. 2 cups broccoli florets
  3. 4 garlic cloves, minced
  4. 1/4 cup olive oil
  5. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  6. Salt and pepper to taste
  7. Grated parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions:
  1. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water, drain, and keep aside.
  2. In a pan, heat olive oil and add minced garlic. Saute it until fragrant.
  3. Add broccoli florets to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add cooked penne pasta to the pan and toss well.
  5. Add unsalted butter and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  6. Serve hot with grated parmesan cheese if wanted.
Nutrition: Serves 4. Each serving contains approximately 400 calories, 10g protein, 50g carbs, and 19g fat.

5. Penne with Tomato and Basil Pesto

Ingredients:
  1. 500g penne pasta
  2. 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  3. 1/2 cup pine nuts
  4. 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  5. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  6. 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  7. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  8. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  9. 1 large tomato, chopped
Instructions:
  1. Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water, drain and keep aside.
  2. In a mixer bowl, add fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Blend together to form pesto sauce.
  3. In a pan, heat some olive oil and sauté chopped tomatoes for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add the cooked penne pasta into the pan and stir for a minute or two.
  5. Add the prepared pesto sauce into the pan and mix well.
  6. Serve hot with extra grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition: Serves 4. Each serving contains approximately 700 calories, 20g protein, 60g carbs, and 45g fat.

6. Penne with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Ingredients:
  1. 500g penne pasta
  2. 2 ripe avocados
  3. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  4. 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  5. 2 tablespoons lime juice
  6. 1/4 cup olive oil
  7. Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
  1. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water, drain, and keep aside.
  2. In a mixer bowl, blend ripe avocados, garlic, fresh basil leaves, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper into a smooth paste.
  3. Toss the penne pasta into the sauce prepared with all the ingredients and mix well. Serve hot.
Nutrition: Serves 4. Each serving contains approximately 500 calories, 10g protein, 60g carbs, and 27g fat.

7. Penne with Spinach and Feta Cheese

Ingredients:
  1. 500g penne pasta
  2. 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  3. 1/2 cup feta cheese
  4. 4 garlic cloves, minced
  5. 1/4 cup olive oil
  6. Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
  1. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water, drain, and keep aside.
  2. In a pan, heat some olive oil and sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add fresh baby spinach to the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  4. Toss cooked penne pasta into the pan and mix well with spinach and garlic.
  5. Crumb feta cheese into the pan and add salt and black pepper according to taste.
  6. Mix well and serve hot.
Nutrition: Serves 4. Each serving contains approximately 400 calories, 15g protein, 50g carbs, and 15g fat.

Now that you have seven mouth-watering penne pasta recipes at your fingertips, go ahead and try them out! They offer an array of flavors and are bound to take your taste buds on a delicious Italian voyage!


Thank you for taking the time to explore these 7 mouth-watering penne pasta recipes! We hope that you found inspiration to try new flavors and ingredients in your kitchen. Our team of foodies carefully selected each recipe to take your taste buds on a delicious Italian adventure.

Penne pasta is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in many ways, allowing for plenty of experimentation in your cooking. Whether you prefer creamy, cheesy dishes or fresh, light flavors, there is a recipe on our list to suit every palate.

We encourage you to continue to explore new ingredients and cooking techniques, and to let us know how these recipes worked for you. Be sure to check back with us often for more culinary inspiration and delightful dishes to share with your loved ones.


Here are some frequently asked questions about the 7 Mouth-Watering Penne Pasta Recipes That Will Take Your Taste Buds on a Delicious Italian Adventure:

  1. What is penne pasta?

    Penne pasta is a tube-shaped pasta that resembles a quill pen. It is often cut diagonally at the ends and can vary in size.

  2. What are some ingredients commonly used in penne pasta recipes?

    Some common ingredients used in penne pasta recipes include tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil, Parmesan cheese, and various types of meat or seafood.

  3. Are these recipes easy to make?

    Yes, these recipes are relatively easy to make and can be prepared in under an hour. They are perfect for busy weeknights when you want to whip up something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

  4. Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?

    Yes, you can easily substitute ingredients in these recipes to suit your taste preferences or dietary restrictions. For example, you can use gluten-free pasta or replace meat with tofu or plant-based protein.

  5. What is the nutritional value of penne pasta?

    Penne pasta is a good source of carbohydrates and contains some protein and fiber. However, it is also high in calories and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

  6. Can I freeze these recipes?

    Yes, most of these recipes can be frozen for later use. Simply store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and thaw before reheating.

  7. What are some tips for cooking perfect penne pasta?

    • Use a large pot of salted water to cook the pasta.
    • Stir the pasta frequently while cooking to prevent it from sticking together.
    • Cook the pasta until al dente, which means it should be firm but not hard or mushy.
    • Save a cup of the pasta water to add to the sauce for added flavor and to thicken the sauce.