Spicy Penne Provencale
Indulge in a delightful and quick-to-prepare meal with our Spicy Penne Provencale. This vibrant dish features penne pasta enveloped in a fragrant, thin sauce bursting with the natural sweetness of Italian-style diced tomatoes, complemented by the aromatic notes of garlic and onion. The addition of fresh mushrooms and your choice of serrano peppers offers a customizable heat level, ensuring each bite is as exciting as you'd like. It's perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, served alongside crispy garlic bread and a refreshing green salad for a complete experience. For an extra protein kick, feel free to toss in some spicy Italian sausage. Let your palate be your guide as you adjust the seasonings to create your perfect plate!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Penne pasta
1 lb (uncooked)
Italian-style diced tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (canned)
Garlic
1 head (minced)
Onion
1 large (chopped)
Butter or Margarine
2 tablespoons (melted)
Serrano pepper
to taste (sliced)
Fresh mushrooms
1 lb (sliced)
Red wine
1/4 cup (none)
Basil
1 tablespoon (dried)
Oregano
1 tablespoon (dried)
Bay leaf
1 large (whole)
Hot Italian sausage link
1 lb (cooked and sliced (optional))
Instructions
1
In a large frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
3
Stir in both cans of diced tomatoes, followed by the basil, oregano, and bay leaf. Mix well.
4
Add the sliced mushrooms and serrano peppers to the mixture, then pour in the red wine. Stir everything together.
5
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the peppers to soften, approximately 10-15 minutes.
6
While the sauce is simmering, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions in a separate pot. Drain and set aside.
7
If you are using the spicy Italian sausage, cook it according to the package instructions, then slice it into bite-sized pieces.
8
Remove the bay leaf from the sauce before serving. Incorporate the sausage into the sauce if desired.
9
Serve the sauce generously over the cooked penne pasta, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Penne Provencale?
It is a vibrant pasta dish featuring penne enveloped in a fragrant tomato sauce made with Italian-style diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, and fresh mushrooms.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of uncooked penne pasta.
How many cans of tomatoes are needed?
You will need two 28-ounce cans of Italian-style diced tomatoes.
How much garlic does this recipe require?
The recipe uses one whole head of garlic, minced.
What type of onion should I use?
Use one large onion, chopped, for the base of the sauce.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use either two tablespoons of butter or margarine to sauté the aromatics.
How is the heat level controlled in this dish?
The spiciness is adjusted by adding sliced serrano peppers to taste.
What kind of mushrooms are used?
The recipe calls for one pound of sliced fresh mushrooms.
Is there alcohol in the sauce?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 cup of red wine to help meld the flavors.
What dried herbs are included in the recipe?
The sauce is seasoned with one tablespoon each of dried basil and dried oregano.
Should the bay leaf stay in the sauce?
No, you should remove the whole bay leaf from the sauce before serving.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
Yes, you can add one pound of cooked and sliced hot Italian sausage links for an extra protein kick.
How long should I sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté them for about 3-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
When do I add the red wine?
The red wine is added along with the mushrooms and serrano peppers after the tomatoes and herbs.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer gently for approximately 10-15 minutes.
How do I prepare the penne pasta?
Cook the penne in a separate pot according to the package instructions and then drain it.
What is the recommended way to serve this dish?
Serve the sauce generously over the cooked penne pasta.
What side dishes go well with this meal?
It is perfect when served alongside crispy garlic bread and a refreshing green salad.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it is a vegetarian-friendly dish if you omit the optional Italian sausage.
What is the consistency of the sauce?
The recipe produces a fragrant, thin sauce bursting with the sweetness of tomatoes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients including the optional sausage.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
While the recipe specifies dried basil and oregano, you can substitute fresh herbs, though you may need to increase the quantity.
What kind of heat do serrano peppers provide?
Serrano peppers provide a customizable heat that makes the dish exciting; adjust the amount to your preference.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is described as a delightful and quick-to-prepare meal perfect for weeknights.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The first step is melting the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
How much pasta is cooked for this recipe?
One pound of penne pasta is used.
When should I add the sausage?
The sausage should be cooked separately and then incorporated into the sauce after the bay leaf is removed.
Does the recipe specify a specific brand of tomatoes?
It specifies 'Italian-style' diced tomatoes for their natural sweetness.
Are the mushrooms cooked before being added to the sauce?
No, the sliced fresh mushrooms are added directly to the sauce and softened during the simmering process.
What is the final instruction before eating?
The final instruction is to serve the sauce over the pasta and enjoy!