20 Minute Penne Pasta (Print Version)
Quick penne pasta with aromatic garlic tomato sauce, fresh basil, and Parmesan. Ready in 20 minutes for easy weeknight dining.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne pasta
02 - Salt, for pasta water
→ Sauce
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
05 - 1 small onion, finely diced
06 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes
07 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
11 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
→ Finishing
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and onion for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
04 - Add drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve silky consistency.
05 - Stir in chopped basil and grated Parmesan. Cook for 1 minute until cheese melts and pasta is evenly coated.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in the time it takes to boil water, making it perfect for those evenings when takeout sounds easier but you want something real
- The sauce clings to every piece of pasta thanks to a trick I learned about using pasta water
02 -
- That pasta water you are tempted to pour down the drain is liquid gold, full of starch that helps sauce cling to every curve and ridge
- Add your Parmesan off the heat or it can separate into oily bits instead of melting into a creamy coating
03 -
- Chop your onion and garlic before you start anything else, because once that oil heats up you need to move fast
- Taste your sauce before adding the pasta and adjust the seasonings, this is your moment to fix anything