Penne Pasta Recipe

Boil Water

In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tsp of salt to the boiling water.

Cook Penne

Add 2 cups of penne pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 9-11 minutes.

Drain Pasta

Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.

Melt Butter

In a pan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.

Sauté Garlic

Add 2 teaspoons of minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Combine with Pasta

Add the drained penne pasta to the pan, and toss to coat with the butter and garlic. Stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with black pepper to taste.

Sauté Onion

In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add Garlic

Stir in 2 teaspoons of minced garlic and sauté for another minute.

Make Sauce

Add 28 oz of crushed canned tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and salt to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Combine with Pasta

Mix the sauce with the cooked penne pasta, stirring to coat evenly.

Make Roux

In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes.

Add Milk

Gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk, bringing it to a simmer while continuing to stir. Cook until the mixture thickens.

Add Cheese

Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt to taste.

Combine with Pasta

Pour the cheese sauce over the drained penne pasta and mix well to combine.