Penne Recipe
Make Penne Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Tomato Basil Sauce
Finish & Garnish
Method
Pasta
- 1
Boil pasta
Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Add 12 oz dry penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package instructions (usually 10–12 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Tomato Basil Sauce
- 2
Sweat aromatics
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to brown it.
- 3
Build the sauce
Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook 1 minute to remove raw flavor. Add the 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- 4
Finish sauce with basil
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in 1 cup torn fresh basil leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or sugar as needed.
Finish & Garnish
- 5
Combine pasta and sauce
Return the sauce to low heat. Add the drained penne to the skillet with the sauce. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta. Toss continuously for 2–3 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta and the butter is fully incorporated.
- 6
Add cheese and adjust
Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan until melted and emulsified into the sauce. If the mixture seems dry, add more reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time. Taste and adjust salt (up to 1/2 teaspoon more if needed) and pepper to taste.
- 7
Serve
Portion the pasta into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley (2 tablespoons) and additional grated Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.