Rich Tomato-Basil Penne Sauce
Elevate your pasta night with this Rich Tomato-Basil Penne Sauce, a delightful blend of fresh ingredients that comes together in just 30 minutes. Inspired by the 'Dinner and a Song' episode from 30 Minute Meals, this sauce brings together the vibrant flavors of crushed and diced tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and sweet onions, all enhanced by the fragrant basil. This recipe has been refined based on feedback to create a thicker, more satisfying sauce. Perfect for tossing with al dente penne rigate, this dish makes for a savory yet simple meal that is sure to impress family and friends.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Garlic cloves
2 (chopped)
Medium onion
1 (chopped)
Crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (drained)
Diced tomatoes
14 ounces (drained)
Salt
to taste (none)
Pepper
to taste (none)
Fresh basil leaves
20 (torn)
Penne rigate
10 ounces (cooked)
Instructions
1
Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to boil for the penne rigate.
2
Once boiling, cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3
In a separate medium pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat.
4
Add the chopped garlic and onion to the pot, stirring gently to combine. Allow to sauté for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
5
After 15 minutes, drain the crushed tomatoes and add them along with the drained diced tomatoes to the pot. Raise the heat to medium to warm the tomatoes through.
6
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
7
Once heated, add the torn fresh basil leaves to the pot and stir to incorporate, allowing the basil to wilt into the sauce.
8
Remove the sauce from heat and set aside.
9
In a large serving bowl, combine the hot cooked penne rigate with the tomato-basil sauce, tossing until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
10
Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rich Tomato-Basil Penne Sauce?
It is a flavorful pasta dish made with crushed and diced tomatoes, garlic, onions, and fresh basil, designed to be prepared in 30 minutes.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to provide 4 servings.
How long does it take to prepare this meal?
The entire process takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish.
What type of pasta is best for this sauce?
Penne rigate is the recommended pasta shape for this recipe as it holds the sauce well.
What are the main ingredients for the sauce?
The main ingredients include extra virgin olive oil, garlic, onion, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, and fresh basil.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses plant-based ingredients and no meat.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
How many garlic cloves should I use?
You will need 2 garlic cloves, which should be chopped before adding to the pot.
What size onion is needed?
The recipe requires one medium onion, finely chopped.
Why do the tomatoes need to be drained?
Draining the crushed and diced tomatoes helps create a thicker and more satisfying sauce texture.
How long should I sauté the garlic and onion?
Sauté the garlic and onion for approximately 15 minutes over medium-low heat to develop flavor without browning.
When should I add the tomatoes to the sauce?
Add the drained crushed and diced tomatoes after the garlic and onion have sautéed for 15 minutes.
When is the fresh basil added?
The fresh basil is added once the tomato mixture has been heated through, just before removing the sauce from the heat.
How should the basil be prepared?
The recipe suggests using 20 fresh basil leaves that have been torn by hand.
How do I cook the pasta?
Cook the penne rigate in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture.
What does al dente mean?
Al dente means the pasta is cooked so it is still firm when bitten.
How much penne rigate is needed?
You will need 10 ounces of penne rigate for this recipe.
What quantities of tomatoes are used?
The recipe uses 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes and 14 ounces of diced tomatoes.
What seasoning is required?
The sauce is seasoned with salt and pepper to taste.
How do I combine the sauce and the pasta?
In a large serving bowl, toss the hot cooked penne with the sauce until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
Can I garnish the dish?
Yes, it is recommended to serve the dish immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by the 'Dinner and a Song' episode from the series 30 Minute Meals.
Is this a quick dinner option?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy dinner and a quick recipe, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
What heat level should I use for the sauce?
Start with medium-low heat for sautéing aromatics, then increase to medium heat to warm the tomatoes.
Can I use different pasta shapes?
While penne rigate is suggested, you can use other similar pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
Does this recipe contain any cholesterol?
Based on the provided ingredients, this vegetarian pasta dish is naturally low in cholesterol.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 9 ingredients required for this dish.
Should the aromatics be browned?
No, you should stir the garlic and onion occasionally while sautéing to prevent them from browning.
What is the primary flavor profile?
The dish features vibrant tomato flavors, aromatic garlic, sweet onions, and fresh herbal notes from the basil.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to toss the hot penne with the sauce in a large bowl to ensure even coating before serving.