One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Penne with Garlic
A rich and creamy tomato sauce infused with garlic and fresh basil, cooked together with penne pasta in one pot for effortless cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves (minced) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 can diced canned tomatoes (14.5 oz can)
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced canned tomatoes with their juices, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Pour in 12 oz penne pasta and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Cook for 2 more minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the pasta.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Penne with Garlic 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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Penne with Garlic?
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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Penne with Garlic?
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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Penne with Garlic 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.
Is One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Penne with Garlic vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
