25 Delicious Penne Pasta Recipes: Quick & Easy Ideas

Penne pasta, especially the whole wheat variant, is my favorite form of carbohydrate. A versatile Italian staple food, this one offers you the opportunity to smuggle something healthy into a meal of your choice. Be it the classic tomato and basil version or the pasta simmered in a creamy, white sauce, there are countless ways you can enjoy this pasta. Transform this humble carb source into a wholesome, nutrition packed meal by cooking it with loads of veggies and lean protein.

Top 25 Penne Pasta Recipes:

Here are 25 recipes using penne pasta to treat your taste buds with some mind boggling flavors. Have a look:

1. Tomato Basil Penne Pasta:

This is one of the easiest ways of cooking penne pasta. Packed with parmesan, mozzarella, and pepperjack cheese, this pizza is flavored with garlic. And do not to forget the cherry tomatoes! Make sure the cheese is fresh.

2. Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta:

The name says it all! Packed with freshly crushed garlic cloves and flavored with a creamy parsley flavored beef broth, this velvety pasta is a treat for everyone. Add thinly sliced colorful veggies while roasting the garlic to make it more visually appetizing.

3. Penne Alla Vodka:

Simmered in a tangy and thick vodka sauce flavored with garlic, pepper, and red pepper, this penne pasta is a wonderful main course option for a classic Italian themed party. You can even serve it as a complete meal alongside some toasted Italian crusty bread, a good lean protein source, and a low fat veggie salad. Do not forget to keep cheese and some seasoning handy for those who want to add up the flavors.

4. Penne Salad With Eggplant:

Eggplant in a salad? This didn’t sound so good to me until I tasted it and now I am addicted to its flavor. Make sure you have a superior quality olive oil for an authentic touch. While this one has just eggplant along with penne and is flavored with black pepper and parsley, my option would be to make it tastier by tossing the pasta and veggie in a spicy chili garlic sauce. A must try treat for the spice lovers! Serve it warm or at room temperature for the right taste.

5. Whole Wheat Penne Genovese:

Simmered in an onion flavored sauce packed with the goodness of white beans, this penne pasta is a healthy, light, yet a satiating meal option. Add a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper and red paprika flakes for a fiery meal to warm up those cold winter nights.

6. Spring Vegetable Penne with Lemon-Cream Sauce:

Loaded with fresh snow peas, sweet onions, mushrooms, and asparagus, this pasta is the true essence of spring flavors. While you have the option of using pre-sliced mushrooms and frozen peas, using the fresh ones gives this pasta a unique, lip smacking taste. The tangy and creamy lemon sauce peps up the desirability quotient!

7. Penne Pasta With Shrimp And Feta:

This is a one pot meal, ideal to be served at your spring potluck. The shrimp along with feta cheese transforms this simple pasta into a gleeful festive choice. Just make sure that the pasta is served as soon as it is ready to enjoy its true flavors.

8. Spring Penne With Spinach:

Bring home the goodness of baby spinach along with a tasty, whole wheat penne pasta simmered in a white wine and cream sauce. And celebrate spring with this tasty recipe. A first look at the pleasing combo of colors – beige and green – is enough to surrender yourself to this recipe. And, when the taste of the recipe puts up an exceedingly rich match, the recipe is sure to woo anyone.

9. White Fiber Mini Penne With Sweet Peppers And Parmigiano-Reggiano:

This one, as the name suggests, is a fiber-rich delight that comes flavored with the unbeatable duo Parmigiano – Reggiano. With sautéed golden brown onion and multihued peppers in a creamy broth is tossed with the cooked pasta and then seasoned to taste with cheese and basil. What more do you need to boost up your spirits?

10. Penne Pasta With Creamy Bacon Sauce:

A perfect choice for comfort food, this one easily fits into an easy to cook dish for a special occasion too. Just 5 ingredients – bacon, pasta, heavy cream, cheese, and garlic – that are all you need to make this dish. Make sure the bacon is dry fried to perfection before you mix it with cream and garlic for a tasty sauce.

11. Penne Pasta With Meat Sauce:

Even the fussiest member of your family will go gaga over this pasta delicacy. Flavored with a blend of dried herbs and spices, including oregano and marjoram, this one has pasta simmered in a chunky tomato and ground beef sauce. Give the recipe a twist of crunchiness by tossing a handful of toasted nuts of your choice.

12. Quick Penne Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette:

If you have some unexpected guests, then this salad is a sure to woo them. Tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes in some balsamic vinaigrette, making a salad could not get easier than this. You can add a dash of black pepper and red paprika, if your guest is a fiery food lover.

13. Chicken Thyme Penne Salad:

This dish is a treasure trove of assorted flavors. Tossed in a mayonnaise dressing, this deli rotisserie chicken pasta salad gives that unforgettable flavor by a mixture of thyme, honey, milk, and mustard. What are you waiting for? Head to your kitchen and start preparing.

14. Greek Salad With Penne Pasta:

Chickpeas, yellow bell pepper, argula, kalamata olives – wow! A whole load of goodness in a single place and that too, along with penne pasta! Do not forget to pick the freshest cheese available to enjoy this fusion recipe.

15. Burger Baked Penne With Spinach:

It is a recipe with the ultimate twist. Fried hamburger is scrambled and cooked with stewed tomatoes and jalapenos before mixing with cheese and spinach. This is then seasoned as desired and baked in a casserole along with cooked penne and more cheese to perfection! A great brunch idea!

16. Penne Pasta Pizza:

This is one recipe that is bound to leave you speechless. Just dug deep into this dish and let your expression speak about this pasta pizza packed with the goodness of mushrooms, tomatoes, salami, pepperoni, and olives, and flavored with cheese and dried parsley.

17. Penne Pasta With Spinach Balls:

An easy to prepare dish, penne pasta with spinach balls is a recipe that you can try at your dinner or even for a weekend brunch. Spinach is flavored with garlic, nutmeg, and parmesan, dipped in an egg mixture, and coated in breadcrumbs and then shallow fried. This is then tossed with pasta that is already cooked with garlic, red chilies, and grated courgettes. Serve fresh.

18. Penne Pasta With Meatballs:

Packed with carrots, zucchini, mushroom, onion, mince, and cheese, this penne pasta dish is sure to become a showstopper at your party. The meatballs are baked to perfection and then served as a topping for pasta. Sprinkle generous amount of parsley and grated cheese before serving the dish.

19. Roasted Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta:

Infused with broccoli, red pepper, and chicken breasts, this red wine vinegar flavored penne pasta recipe easily makes a tasty choice to warm up cold winter nights. This chicken penne pasta recipe takes just 30 minutes to prepare this pasta.

20. Penne Pasta Coleslaw:

Give your coleslaw a new lease of flavor by adding penne pasta to the basic recipe. Tossed in a mixture of light mayonnaise and Italian style salad dressing, this Coleslaw is ideal to be served during spring and summer. And not to forget your BBQ parties alongside grilled chicken!

21. Penne Pasta Minestrone:

A low fat soup recipe, this one is packed with the goodness of protein. Make sure you use garlic and seasoning in generous amounts for a tasty delight! Serve it hot alongside toasted bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• Penne pasta – 1 cup, cooked, drained
• Onion – 1, large, finely chopped
• Garlic – 5 cloves, finely chopped
• Carrots – ¼ cup, finely chopped
• Celery sticks – 2, finely chopped
• Yellow zucchini – 1, finely chopped
• French beans – 8, sliced diagonally
• Red kidney beans – 1 cup, cooked
• Sweet corn kernels – ½ cup
• Tomatoes – 4, large, boiled, pureed
• Paprika flakes – 1 tsp
• Dried oregano – 1 tsp
• Basil leaves – 8
• Oil – 1 tbsp
• Salt – to taste
• White pepper powder – to taste

Directions:

1. Place a large skillet on medium to high flame and heat oil.
2. Mix in garlic and onions and sauté until both turn golden brown.
3. Mix in beans, celery, carrot, corn, and 2 cups of water and allow it to come to a boil. Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes.
4. Mix in tomato puree, zucchini, cooked beans, and pasta and cook for 5 more minutes.
5. Mix in the herbs and spices and cook for 3 minutes more.
6. Serve hot along with toasted bread slices.

22. Low Fat Pasta Salad:

Weight loss journey and boring foods – they often look synonymous. This one will change that notion! Packed with the goodness of assorted veggies including zucchini, red bell pepper, and tomatoes, this is my all time favorite salad idea. Make sure you give it a crunch by adding 1 tbsp of toasted nuts.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat penne pasta – 1/4 cup, cooked la dente, drained
• Red bell pepper – 1/2, thinly sliced
• Zucchini – 1/2, thinly sliced
• Cherry tomatoes – 6, thinly sliced
• Onion – 1, large, thinly sliced
• Garlic – 8 pods, finely chopped
• Olive oil – 1 1/8 tsp
• Red chili flakes – 1 tbsp
• Vinegar dressing – 1 tsp
• Italian seasoning – 2 tsp
• Black pepper powder – 1 tsp
• Salt – to taste

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a non-stick pan placed on medium to high flame. Allow it to smoke.
2. Mix in chopped garlic and sauté until it becomes pale brown.
3. Mix in onions and sauté till the onions start browning.
4. Mix in zucchini and bell pepper slices. Sauté it until zucchini turns crispy tender.
5. Mix in tomatoes to the sautéed veggies and give a quick stir.
6. Mix in seasoning to taste and toss.
7. Remove from heat, add vinegar, and stir quickly.
8. Transfer to the plate and serve hot.

23. Penne Pasta Pakoda:

A tasty starter for your Indian themed party, this one is a perfect comfort food. Serve it along with soup or a ginger infused tea for a cozy evening with your spouse and/or loved ones!

Ingredients:

• 1. Penne pasta – 1 cup, cooked, drained, cut into thin rounds
• 2. Onions – ½ cup, finely chopped
• 3. Gram flour – ¾ cup
• 4. Rice flour – 3 tsp
• 5. Red chili powder – 1 tsp
• 6. Ajwain – ½ tsp
• 7. Salt – to taste
• 8. Coriander leaves – 1 tbsp, finely chopped
• 9. Oil – for deep frying

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add onions, chili powder, salt, gram flour, rice flour, and ajwain, and mix well.
2. Mix in pasta and using a spoon, mix to ensure even coating.
3. Place a deep frying pan on medium to high heat and heat oil.
4. Using a spoon, drop pasta mixture little at a time, and deep fry until both the sides turn golden.
5. Transfer to a kitchen towel, drain, and serve along with the mint coriander chutney and tomato ketchup.

24. Potato And Penne Pasta Soup:

A light, yet creamy and filling soup, this one is a comfort food in all senses. The pasta just adds to the luxuriousness of this dish. Make sure you have baby potatoes, the freshest ones with you for ensuring the authenticity of the dish.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes – 1 cup, peeled, diced
• Penne pasta – 1 cup, cooked al dente, drained
• Butter – 1 tsp
• Onions – 2, large, diced
• Vegetable stock – 4 cups
• Skimmed milk – ½ cup
• Salt – to taste
• Black pepper – to taste, freshly ground
• Fresh parsley – 2 tsp, finely chopped

Directions:

1. Place a heavy saucepan on medium to high flame.
2. Add butter and allow it to melt.
3. Mix in onions and sauté until it becomes translucent.
4. Add potatoes and sauté until the potatoes are coated completely.
5. Add a little salt and pepper, cover, and cook until the veggies sweat.
6. Meanwhile, boil the stock in a separate vessel.
7. Add stock to the mixture after the veggie softens and simmer for 15 minutes.
8. Mix in milk and cook for a minute more.
9. Allow the mixture to cool.
10. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend to make a smooth puree.
11. Place back on heat, add pasta, adjust seasoning and boil for 2 more minutes.
12. Sprinkle some parsley and serve hot.

25. Lemony Penne:

Flavored with fresh lemon juice, this one is simple and easy to make. Freshly cooked pasta is sautéed in a spice mix and then flavored with lemon juice! Serve it hot along with a spicy pickle or sauce of your choice.

Ingredients:

• Penne pasta – 1 cup, cooked al dente, drained
• Cooking oil – 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
• Urad dal – ½ tsp
• Chana dal – ½ tsp
• Green chilies – 3, slit lengthways
• Curry leaves – 10
• Lemon juice – 2 tsp
• Salt – to taste

Directions:

1. Place a medium sized frying pan on medium to high heat.
2. Heat oil.
3. Add mustard seeds and allow these to splutter.
4. Mix in the dals, green chilies, and curry leaves and sauté for 2 minutes more.
5. Turn off the heat and mix in salt.
6. Add pasta and toss well.
7. Mix in lemon juice and toss to ensure coating.
8. Serve fresh.

These are 25 simple penne pasta recipe ideas that I love. Each one is versatile and unique on its own. And, they offer the flexibility to adapt the flavors to meet your needs.

So, what is your preference when it comes to the recipe of penne pasta? A soup, casserole, or a salad? Why don’t you share the same with us? We are just a scroll away.