Rustic Italian Style Penne with Garlic Tomato Sauce

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

Al dente penne pasta enveloped in a bright garlic-infused tomato sauce with fresh herbs, perfect for a comforting Italian meal. This Italian 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.

Prep: 10 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

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 11 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant—do not burn.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and add the drained penne pasta along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss for 1-2 minutes until sauce coats pasta evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss lightly before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rustic Italian Style Penne with Garlic Tomato Sauce 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 Rustic Italian Style Penne with Garlic Tomato Sauce?

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 Rustic Italian Style Penne with Garlic Tomato Sauce?

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 Rustic Italian Style Penne with Garlic Tomato Sauce 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 Rustic Italian Style Penne with Garlic Tomato Sauce 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