Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with Parmesan

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting one-pot penne pasta simmered in a fresh tomato and basil sauce, finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 3 cups vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the pot, stirring well to submerge the pasta.
  4. Step 4: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12-14 minutes until pasta is al dente and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with Parmesan take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (5 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with Parmesan?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with Parmesan?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with Parmesan for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with Parmesan?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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