Penne pasta is often found lingering in kitchen cupboards, waiting to be used. While it’s common to smother it in cheese or tomato sauce, there are many more creative ways to cook with this versatile pasta. In fact, we’ve compiled a list of 26 impressive penne pasta recipes that can be enjoyed as a quick weeknight meal or a romantic dinner on the weekend.
Spicy Shrimp Penne Pasta
Indulge in the rich flavors of spicy shrimp pasta, a dish that will quickly become a staple in your household. Perfect for cold winter nights, this recipe is a masterclass in balance and depth, with a harmonious blend of spices and succulent seafood. The best part? This versatile recipe allows you to customize it to suit your taste buds – swap out the shrimp for chicken if you prefer, or adjust the heat level to your liking.
Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta
As the post-Thanksgiving period unfolds, many of us find ourselves grappling with the challenge of creatively utilizing our leftover turkey. Amidst the usual suspects – turkey sandwiches and soups – lies a gem of an idea: transforming that same turkey into a luscious pasta dish. This recipe is particularly noteworthy for its speed and ease, making it an ideal solution when you’re already working with leftover turkey in tow.
While fusilli pasta forms the foundation of this culinary creation, feel free to substitute penne pasta if your pantry calls for it.
Penne With Mushrooms And Bacon
While many may be skeptical about mushrooms at first, this recipe has the potential to convert even the most ardent detractors. The harmonious union of earthy mushrooms and smoky bacon in a rich, creamy sauce effectively tames their natural flavor profile, rendering them surprisingly savory and appetizing. And as an added bonus, this pasta dish is remarkably nutritious.
For those seeking to make it vegetarian-friendly, smoked tofu or tempeh bacon can be used as a suitable substitute for the traditional bacon ingredient.
Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad
Beneath its unconventional appearance, this penne pasta salad boasts an intriguing fusion of flavors and textures. Feta cheese, baby spinach, and balsamic glaze provide a tangy and herbaceous foundation, while strawberries bring an unexpected sweetness to the table. The resulting combination is nothing short of refreshing, making it a perfect choice for a summer lunch that’s both sweet and savory.
Penne With Five Cheeses
For those who savor the richness of dairy, rejoice! This penne recipe is an indulgent delight, featuring a medley of five distinct cheeses that come together in perfect harmony. The dish is a masterclass in cheesy goodness, with each bite delivering a satisfying blend of creamy textures and deep flavors.
While this recipe may not be suitable for our vegan or lactose intolerant friends, rest assured it’s surprisingly effortless to prepare.
Simply boil the pasta, then combine all the ingredients in one pot. The key to achieving the perfect cheesy experience lies in baking the pasta at the end, allowing the cheese to melt and form a crispy, golden-brown crust.
Supreme Pizza Penne Casserole
Combining two Italian classics – pizza and pasta – may seem unusual, but our pizza penne casserole recipe brings together the best of both worlds. This versatile dish is surprisingly easy to prepare, as it simply involves combining cooked penne pasta with your preferred pizza toppings. The result is a hearty, satisfying meal that can be easily tailored to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.
For meat-lovers, this recipe offers plenty of options; for those following vegan or vegetarian diets, substitutions are simple and effective.
Easy Baked Penne With Ricotta And Basil
If you’re on a tight budget or seeking a quick and simple pasta recipe that doesn’t require an extensive list of ingredients, consider whipping up this delightful ricotta and basil penne pasta dish. With a baking time of just about an hour, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something satisfying yet effortless to prepare.
The harmonious union of marinara sauce with creamy ricotta and fragrant basil yields a richly flavored and scrumptious pasta creation that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates. Simply pop it in the oven and let the magic happen!
Pesto Penne With Spinach And Blistered Tomatoes
Penne and pesto is a classic combination that’s hard to beat. With a cooking time of just 20 minutes, this recipe makes for an excellent choice when you’re short on time but still want a satisfying meal. While it’s convenient to grab a store-bought jar of pesto if you’re in a hurry, making your own pesto from scratch is surprisingly easy and always worth the effort. This versatile dish can be served both warm and cold, making it perfect for a quick lunch or dinner on-the-go.
Rasta Pasta
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean with this Rasta pasta recipe, which perfectly blends spicy jerk chicken, sweet bell peppers, and a rich creamy sauce. This quick-cooking dish, ready in just 30 minutes, will surprise you with its depth of flavor.
Salsa Verde Penne Pasta
Salsa verde is a vibrant and flavorful condiment that pairs perfectly with penne pasta. While store-bought options are convenient, making your own from scratch can be a simple and rewarding experience. This recipe utilizes a food processor to blend together the ingredients, resulting in a tangy and aromatic sauce. Note that this particular recipe includes anchovy paste, which is not suitable for vegan diets.
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Roasted red peppers possess an inherent charm that elevates their natural flavor profile to new heights. When used to create a pasta sauce, they become a game-changer, offering a rich, creamy, and satisfyingly nutritious dish for all to savor. The process of roasting these vibrant peppers is surprisingly straightforward, allowing even the busiest of cooks to effortlessly turn out a mouthwatering meal.
Alternatively, store-bought roasted red peppers provide a convenient shortcut to achieving this culinary delight.
Baked French Onion Penne
Indulge in a culinary experience that’s both soothing and flavorful with this French onion penne recipe, inspired by the classic French onion soup. This dish is an ode to romance, making it perfect for a cozy date night dinner. The secret to its success lies in the caramelization of onions and mushrooms, creating a harmonious balance of sweet and savory notes.
Fresh Sun Dried Tomato Penne Pasta
The allure of sun-dried tomatoes lies in their ability to elevate the flavors of a dish. When paired with pasta and a rich, creamy sauce, the tanginess of the sun-dried tomatoes is tempered by the cheese’s richness. This simplicity is what makes this recipe stand out – it’s a harmonious blend of sun-dried tomatoes, bell pepper, baby spinach, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, garlic, and seasonings that comes together in a matter of minutes.
Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta
Indulge in the comforting warmth of a rich and flavorful bowl of spicy sausage pasta. This recipe masterfully combines spicy Italian sausages with the flexibility to amplify the heat levels through the addition of cayenne pepper or chili flakes, resulting in a satisfyingly hearty and delectable meal that’s sure to become a new favorite.
Roasted Vegetable Penne Pasta
Roasting vegetables has long been the gold standard for cooking their flavorful counterparts. This recipe seamlessly merges the savory essence of roasted veggies into a delectable pasta dish, requiring minimal effort yet yielding maximum satisfaction. One of its greatest advantages is its ability to repurpose any lingering vegetables in your refrigerator, eliminating waste and culinary guilt. For an added touch of luxury, don’t hesitate to finish with a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
Creamy Salmon Pasta
There’s an undeniable charm to cooking with salmon, don’t you think? Its tender flesh and bold flavor profile make it a standout in any dish. When paired with pasta and a rich, creamy sauce, the combination is nothing short of divine. This recipe is perfect for those impromptu weeknight meals, as well as romantic evenings where presentation matters – just imagine serving this up to your loved one and watching their eyes light up!
Baked Ham Penne Pasta
When you’re left with leftover ham from a roast dinner, don’t let it go to waste – transform it into a mouthwatering pasta dish instead! This recipe combines the rich flavors of creamy garlic sauce and savory baked ham to create a satisfying meal that will surely become a family favorite. In fact, be prepared for your kids to beg for this dish every week!
Penne Alla Vodka
Prepare for a culinary awakening! Penne alla vodka is a game-changer that will revolutionize your approach to pasta dishes. This recipe provides the perfect opportunity to repurpose leftover vodka or justify buying another bottle. With its creamy, tangy tomato sauce infused with vodka’s distinct flavor profile, you’ll be hooked from the first bite. Serve it as a standalone main course or pair it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Chicken And Sausage Penne Jambalaya
Elevate your pasta game by infusing the bold flavors of jambalaya into a quick and easy dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes! This recipe puts chicken breast and Italian sausage center stage, although shrimp can be used as a delicious alternative. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility – use it as an opportunity to clear out your veggie drawer and add any variety you like.
Family-Favorite Cheeseburger Pasta
Imagine a dish that combines the comforting familiarity of cheeseburgers with the ease and convenience of pasta. Enter cheeseburger pasta, a family-friendly favorite that’s sure to become a staple in your household. The key ingredients are reminiscent of an all-American burger: ground beef, cheddar cheese, mustard, and ketchup – but instead of being sandwiched between two buns, they’re mixed with al dente pasta to create a rich and satisfying casserole-like dish.
To add an extra layer of texture and flavor, simply place the pasta under the broiler for a few minutes until the melted cheese is crispy and golden.
Tomato Basil Penne Pasta
The essence of simplicity lies in some of the most uncomplicated meals, with tomato and basil being a match made in heaven. When combined with pasta, it’s a dish that can’t be beat. This recipe is remarkably straightforward to prepare and quick to finish, making it an ideal choice for a spontaneous weeknight dinner. Moreover, its ingredients are largely staples found in your pantry or fridge, reducing food waste and the need for extra shopping trips.
For vegan friends, feel free to swap out the mozzarella and other cheeses with their plant-based equivalents.
One Pan Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
The harmonious blend of lemon and chicken is a match made in culinary heaven. When combined with a rich and creamy lemon sauce, the typically mild flavor of chicken transforms into a mouthwatering, juicy delight that’s perfect for incorporating into a pasta dish.
One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is its simplicity – everything can be cooked in a single pan, minimizing cleanup and making it an ideal option for busy home cooks.
To take it to the next level, be sure to finish the dish with a sprinkle of lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This added touch will elevate the flavors and leave your taste buds singing.
Italian Penne Pasta Salad
Penne pasta’s versatility is often overlooked, but it’s a great canvas for creating delicious cold dishes. A refreshing pasta salad made with penne, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a subtle dressing is the perfect solution for a quick lunch or a light side dish at a barbecue. What’s more, this recipe is ideal for batch cooking on the weekend, ensuring a tasty meal option for the weekdays ahead.
Pumpkin Pasta Sauce With Penne
The perpetual conundrum that plagues us in the aftermath of Halloween is how to repurpose the excess pumpkin flesh. This predicament need not be a source of stress, as it can be easily rectified with this delectable pumpkin pasta sauce recipe! The key to its comforting nature lies in the harmonious balance between the creamy and savory flavors, which is further enhanced by an abundance of Parmesan.
If you’re without access to a fresh pumpkin, fear not – pumpkin purée serves as a more than suitable substitute.
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of penne pasta recipes, it’s clear that the possibilities truly are endless. Whether you’re looking for a classic comfort food or an innovative twist on traditional flavors, there’s something for everyone in this culinary world. With the confidence and inspiration gained from experimenting with various cooking methods and ingredient combinations, I encourage you to continue exploring the realm of pasta dishes, discovering new favorites along the way.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.