Negroni-Inspired Bitter Tomato Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

An Italian pasta dish capturing the essence of a Negroni cocktail with bitter orange, Campari, and herbal notes infused into a savory tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped shallot and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup Campari and simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly and cook off the alcohol.
  4. Step 4: Add 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp orange zest, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes until thickened.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for a bittersweet, vibrant tomato pasta.

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