One-Pot Tomato and Basil Penne
A simple, flavorful Italian pasta dish with fresh tomatoes and aromatic basil cooked in one pot for easy cleanup. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and release juice.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth along with 12 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12-14 minutes until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until everything is well combined and creamy. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato and Basil Penne take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 Tomato and Basil Penne?
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 Tomato and Basil Penne?
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 Tomato and Basil Penne 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 Tomato and Basil Penne 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This was my new favorite weeknight dinner! Simple, flavorful, and the whole family loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked for 30 minutes as written, but the pasta was still a bit undercooked. Still tasty though.
- ★★★★☆
The basil was great, but the sauce was a bit too thin. Next time I'll reduce it more.
