Pasta with Orange-Bitter Tomato Sauce and Fresh Basil

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.

A vibrant pasta dish where Aperol's citrus notes elevate a simple tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs Penne pasta, San Marzano tomatoes, Aperol for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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: 25 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 410 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 and cook 8 oz penne for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and cook for 3 minutes until translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 2 tbsp Aperol and 1 can (28 oz) crushed San Marzano tomatoes.
  4. Step 4: Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until sauce thickens slightly, then stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and toss with drained penne, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky coating.

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