One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with Garlic Infusion

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

A comforting Italian pasta dish where penne is cooked directly in a savory tomato basil sauce infused with garlic and herbs. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 small, finely diced onion

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 small finely diced onion, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
2. Step 2: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes and 3 cups vegetable broth, stirring in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; bring to a simmer.
3. Step 3: Add 12 oz penne pasta to the sauce, stirring to combine, then cover and cook over medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Serve immediately.