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This marinara sauce penne pasta combines fresh tomato puree with basil, oregano, oil, onions, and other Italian herbs. It comes together in no time and is just as healthy, which makes it a homerun dish any time of the year!
Penne pasta infused in a tangy and aromatic red sauce? Count me in!
This pasta is loaded with sweet onions, aromatic garlic, herby oregano, cheesy mozzarella, and savory tomatoes. That’s all.
With only a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes on your hands, you can whip up a scrumptious meal that your whole family’s gonna adore.
And, unlike the previous red sauce pasta iteration, this recipe constitutes fresh herbs like basil that hoist up the flavors and are tantalizing to your taste buds.
Plus, this penne pasta with marinara sauce is the ultimate comfort food that is warm enough to cozy you up in the fall and light enough to enjoy in the summer.
If you’re looking for more penne recipes, check out my alfredo sauce penne pasta!
Tools You’ll Need
- Pot: To boil the pasta.
- Skillet: To make the sauce and as always you can cook the pasta and make the sauce in the same pot/skillet.
- Ladle: To saute and stir.
- Strainer
Ingredients in This Penne Pasta with Marinara Sauce Recipe
Penne Pasta: Penne holds onto the sauce really well and ensures that each bite is full of flavor.
Tomato Puree: They are the heart of the marinara sauce. Tomatoes give the sauce its signature tanginess and are also rich sources of vitamins A and C, and regulate blood pressure.
Onions: Onions dial down the acidity of the tomatoes and provide a mild sweet flavor.
Garlic: For a pungent and aromatic quality to the sauce.
Red Chili Powder: It’s just an Indian addition to get a proper red-colored sauce and to add some heat. It is completely skippable.
Oregano: Oregano is a bitter but slightly sweet condiment that gives a wonderful aromatic essence to the dish.
Red Chili Flakes: For a spicy hit!
Basil: Basil adds a ton of freshness to the sauce and is a great way to include a green contrast in the mix.
Mozzarella Cheese:
Water
Salt & Pepper
Oil
How to make Marinara Sauce Penne Pasta
Boil the Pasta:
Boil some water in a pot, and add salt, oil, and penne pasta. Cook the pasta for 8-10 mins on high flame till al dante.
Reserve some pasta water, and dispose of the rest using a strainer.
Rinse the pasta with cold water to avoid overcooking, and set them aside.
Whip up the Sauce:
Switch on the flame on low, and heat oil in a skillet.
Add garlic and saute till they get golden brown. Then add onion, and cook it till translucent, and add red chili powder, and give it a mix.
Pour in the tomato puree, add salt and black pepper powder, and cook it till the oil separates.
Then, add oregano, red chili flakes, basil leaves, and shredded mozzarella cheese, and mix them well.
Mix them together:
Finally, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce, and adjust the saltiness and seasonings.
Garnish it with shredded cheese and basil on top, and your marinara sauce penne pasta is ready to be served.
Tips & Variations
Use sugar to balance the flavors: If the tomatoes you’re using are on the citrusy side, adding sugar will provide a great balance between the tanginess of the tomatoes, and the saltiness of the cheese.
Add protein: For a more filling experience, you can add protein like grilled chicken, fish, or any meat of your liking. Not only will it keep you full for the rest of the day, but it also enhances the flavors to the next level.
Add more herbs and veggies: To add more nutrition and flavor, incorporate carrots, broccoli, green peas, and so on for a wholesome dish.
Serving Options
Traditional Serving: Simply garnish the pasta with grated cheese and a stem of basil, and serve it to get the authentic feel.
Accompaniments: Pair this penne pasta in marinara sauce with garlic bread, salads, or even Italian wine like Chianti or Sangiovese.
Baked options: Transfer the pasta to a baking dish, and top it with a good amount of shredded cheese. Bake it till you get a fluffy golden-brown layering on top and enjoy.
How to Store
Penne pasta with marinara sauce has an excellent storage capacity.
In the fridge: if you want to consume the pasta within the week, you can store it for 5-7 days in the fridge in an air-tight container.
In the freezer: The pasta can be frozen for up to 3 months without a problem. Thaw it properly first and then reheat it in a skillet.
Why You’ll Love This Penne Pasta in Marinara Sauce
- It’s an easy 20-minute recipe that doesn’t involve many ingredients.
- It has the perfect harmony of flavors and is filled with robust flavors.
- You can make it gluten-free as well with a single alteration.
- It is easily customizable and you can effortlessly add more veggies and protein to the dish.
- It is full of antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
More Pasta Recipes
- Penne Pasta with Alfredo Sauce
- Pistachio Penne Pasta
- Mushroom Alfredo Pasta
- Lemon Garlic Pasta
- Macaroni Masala Pasta
- Maggi White Sauce Pasta
Please rate and comment if you make this marinara sauce penne pasta so I know how much you like it.
Easy and Simple Marinara Sauce Penne Pasta
Ingredients
For the Marinara Sauce:
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 7-8 cloves Garlic chopped
- 1 large Onion roughly chopped
- ½ tsp Red Chili Powder optional
- 6-7 medium Tomatoes pureed
- Salt
- Black Pepper Powder a pinch
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Red Chili Flakes
- 7-8 Basil Leaves
- 90 g Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Garnishes:
- Basil Leaves
- Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Boil some water in a pot, and add salt, oil, and penne pasta. Cook the pasta for 8-10 mins on high flame till al dante.
- Reserve some pasta water, and dispose of the rest using a strainer.
- Rinse the pasta with cold water to avoid overcooking, and set them aside.
- Switch on the flame on low, and heat oil in a skillet.
- Add garlic and saute till they get golden brown. Then add onion, and cook it till translucent, and add red chili powder, and give it a mix.
- Pour in the tomato puree, add salt and black pepper powder, and cook it till the oil separates.
- Then, add oregano, red chili flakes, basil leaves, and shredded mozzarella cheese, and mix them well.
- Finally, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce, and garnish it with shredded cheese and basil on top.
- Your marinara sauce penne pasta is ready to be served.
Notes
- Use sugar to balance the flavors: If the tomatoes you’re using are on the citrusy side, adding sugar will provide a great balance between the tanginess of the tomatoes, and the saltiness of the cheese.
- Add protein: For a more filling experience, you can add protein like grilled chicken, fish, or any meat of your liking. Not only will it keep you full for the rest of the day, but it also enhances the flavors to the next level.
- Add more herbs and veggies: To add more nutrition and flavor, incorporate carrots, broccoli, green peas, and so on for a wholesome dish.