Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsThe Iowa TaproomPenne With Marinara Recipe

Penne With Marinara Recipe

Inspired by The Iowa Taproom
Time40m
Serves4

Make Penne With Marinara Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Pasta

Garnish (optional)

Method

Cooking the Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil Water

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

  2. 2

    Cook Penne

    Once the water is boiling, add 2 cups of penne pasta. Stir occasionally and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes.

  3. 3

    Drain Pasta

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

Preparing the Marinara Sauce

  1. 4

    Heat Olive Oil

    In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.

  2. 5

    Sauté Garlic

    Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the oil and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.

  3. 6

    Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Pour in 28 oz of canned crushed tomatoes. Add 1 tsp of dried oregano, 1 tsp of dried basil, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of black pepper, and 1 tsp of sugar. Stir to combine.

  4. 7

    Simmer the Sauce

    Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.

  5. 8

    Finish Sauce

    Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped basil just before removing from heat.

Combining Pasta and Sauce

  1. 9

    Combine

    Add the drained penne pasta to the marinara sauce in the skillet. Toss until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.

  2. 10

    Serve

    Plate the pasta and sauce mixture, and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.

More from The Iowa Taproom