One-Pot Tomato and Basil Penne with Garlic

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

A simple, satisfying Italian pasta dish featuring penne simmered in a fresh tomato and garlic sauce with fragrant basil. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs penne pasta, 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  2. Step 2: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 4 cups water, and 1 tsp salt along with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 oz penne pasta to the skillet and cook uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and the sauce thickens to coat the pasta.
  4. Step 4: Tear 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves and stir them into the pasta. Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top. Toss gently until cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Tomato and 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 Tomato and 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 Tomato and 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 Tomato and 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 Tomato and 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes