Penne pomodoro is one of those simple Italian pasta recipes that proves you don't need a long ingredient list to make a beautiful dinner. This version uses whole San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, fresh basil, and just enough pasta water to create a smooth tomato sauce that clings to every piece of penne.
As a cookbook author and recipe developer, I love recipes like this because they feel elegant without being fussy. It's a true weeknight pasta: ready in about 20 minutes, made with pantry staples, and easy to pair with chicken, shrimp, salmon, or a simple salad.
If you're looking for more delicious pasta recipes, check out our Pesto Rosso, Spaghetti Arrabiata, or Pesto di Zucchini recipes.
Jump to:
- Quick Answer: What Is Penne Pomodoro?
- Pomodoro vs Marinara
- Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Penne Pomodoro Ingredients
- Penne Pomodoro Directions
- How to Make Pomodoro Sauce Cling to Pasta
- Best Tomatoes for Pomodoro Sauce
- Kitchen Equipment
- Penne Pomodoro Substitutions/Variations
- What To Serve With
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipe Storage and Reheating
- More Pasta Recipes
- Penne Pomodoro
Quick Answer: What Is Penne Pomodoro?
Penne pomodoro is a simple Italian pasta made with penne and a tomato-based sauce. Pomodoro means "tomato" in Italian, and the sauce is usually made with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, and salt. It's lighter and smoother than many long-simmered tomato sauces and is perfect for a quick weeknight pasta.
Pomodoro vs Marinara
Pomodoro sauce is typically smoother and a little thicker, while marinara is often looser, more rustic, and sometimes chunkier. Both are tomato-based sauces, but pomodoro is usually a simpler, silkier sauce that works especially well tossed directly with pasta.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Simple but flavorful: San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil create a classic tomato sauce with very little effort.
- Ready in 20 minutes: The sauce simmers while the pasta cooks, making this perfect for busy weeknights.
- Pantry-friendly: Most of the ingredients are staples you may already have on hand.
- Easy to make your own: Serve as-is, or add grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, burrata, red pepper flakes, or extra herbs.
Penne Pomodoro Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this penne Pomodoro recipe:
- Penne: The ridges hold onto the smooth tomato sauce. Rigatoni, ziti, fusilli, or spaghetti also work.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Builds the base of the sauce and adds richness.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the sauce its simple, savory flavor.
- Whole San Marzano tomatoes: These blend into a smooth, flavorful sauce. Whole canned tomatoes are best because they tend to have better texture than pre-crushed tomatoes.
- Tomato paste: Adds concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
- Onion powder: Adds gentle sweetness and savory flavor without needing to dice an onion.
- Reserved pasta water: Helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling to the penne.
- Heavy cream: Just a tablespoon softens the acidity and gives the sauce a silky finish. You can leave it out for a more traditional tomato sauce.
- Fresh basil: Adds a fresh, classic finish.
- Parmesan: Adds salty, savory flavor for serving.
Penne Pomodoro Directions
Let's make this Penne al Pomodoro recipe together!
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
- Step 3: Add the whole San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Crush the tomatoes with a spoon, stir well, and bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Simmer for 10 minutes, then use an immersion blender to blend until mostly smooth.
- Step 5: Add the penne and ¼ cup reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss over low heat until the sauce coats the pasta, adding more pasta water as needed. Stir in heavy cream, if using, then serve with Parmesan and fresh basil.
- Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
How to Make Pomodoro Sauce Cling to Pasta
For the best texture, cook the penne just until al dente and finish it directly in the pomodoro sauce with a splash of reserved pasta water. The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce loosen, turn glossy, and cling to the pasta. Add the water a little at a time so the sauce stays silky instead of watery.
Best Tomatoes for Pomodoro Sauce
Whole canned San Marzano tomatoes are my favorite for pomodoro sauce because they blend into a smooth sauce with balanced sweetness and acidity. If you can't find San Marzano tomatoes, use another good-quality can of whole peeled tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes will work in a pinch, but the sauce may have a slightly different texture.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment that you will need to make this recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Immersion blender - An immersion blender is definitely needed for this recipe. It allows you to blend your sauce right in the pot, making this recipe super easy. I have this one and love it! It's a great option and versatile for any home cook.
- Deep Skillet - I love using a deep skillet for cooking sauces like this. I have this one and I use it cooking every single day! It can also go in the oven, making it versatile for so many recipes.
- San Marzano Tomatoes - San Marzano tomatoes will give you the best tasting sauce every time. Check out these on Amazon, it's a great option if your local grocer does not carry them.
Penne Pomodoro Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common substitutions and variations for this Pasta al Pomodoro recipe:
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or Calabrian chiles with the garlic.
- Make it creamy: Add an extra splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of mascarpone.
- Add protein: Serve with grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or chicken meatballs.
- Add burrata: Top each bowl with burrata for a creamy, restaurant-style finish.
- Use another pasta shape: Rigatoni, fusilli, ziti, spaghetti, or bucatini all work.
- Make it dairy-free: Skip the cream and Parmesan, or use a dairy-free Parmesan-style topping.
What To Serve With
Here are some easy recipes to serve this simple tomato sauce with:
Frequently Asked Questions
Marinara sauce is a thin stewed sauce, often with chunky tomatoes. Pomodoro is often thicker and creamier than marinara sauce, with pureed whole tomatoes.
Pomodoro sauce is a classic and simple Italian tomato sauce. Pomodoro means 'tomato' in Italian. It is a basic sauce with just a few ingredients.
Pomodoro in Italian translates to Tomato in English. It is also known as a simple Italian tomato sauce with few ingredients.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this penne pomodoro pasta recipe.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
- Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat. If the sauce is dry, add water 1 tablespoon at a time to loosen up the sauce.
More Pasta Recipes
Looking for more pasta recipes? Check out some of our favorites:
Penne Pomodoro
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28 oz can whole San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- Fresh basil for serving
- Grated parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil and garlic in a large pot over medium heat. Let garlic cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add San Marzano tomatoes, tomato paste, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer on low for 10 minutes. Use an immersion blender to smooth the sauce.
- Remove sauce from heat. Add heavy cream and cooked penne and combine. Serve with grated parmesan and fresh basil.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment below or tag us @tasting.with.tina on Instagram!
Emily says
A simple dinner that could just as easily be a weeknight staple as it could be used to wow for a dinner party!
Christina Musgrave says
So happy you enjoyed the recipe! We definitely agree!
Bella says
Wow! This was literally so easy, my boyfriend was so excited that I made this!
Christina Musgrave says
It really is so easy - glad you enjoyed!
Scarlett says
How much is a serving?
Christina Musgrave says
There are 6 servings in this recipe - so about 1.5 cups of cooked pasta will be one serving.