Introducing the ultimate flavorful meal to make your weeknights more enjoyable – our Quick and easy Penne Rosa recipe! Despite its sophisticated name, Penne Rosa can be prepared in just 20 minutes using simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight and offers a comforting and filling meal in just one pot.
This pasta can be served alone or paired with homemade focaccia bread or garlic knots.
There is absolutely nothing that beats a generous bowl of warm pasta drenched in a rich tomato sauce. It’s simply mouthwatering! But hold on a second, this isn’t just any pasta dish – it’s Penne Rosa!
Whether it’s a quick family dinner, a casual get-together, or unexpected guests, this easy pasta dish will surprise everyone.
This hearty and fulfilling meal is a beloved staple in my family, and it’s effortlessly prepared even on hectic weeknights.
What is Penne Rosa
The name “penne” is derived from the Italian word for “pen,” referring to its resemblance to the shape of a quill pen. This versatile pasta is a staple in Italian cuisine and is commonly used in various dishes, from creamy pasta bakes to hearty pasta salads.
Likewise, the name “rosa” is also derived from the Italian word “rosa,” which translates to pink or rosy. This dish features a light red cream sauce created from a delightful combination of marinara sauce and heavy whipping cream.
Penne pasta is cooked to perfection with a firm, yet tender texture, which is later sautéed in mushrooms that add a rich and earthy flavor, all enveloped in a light, velvety tomato sauce with a hint of herbs and spices.
The harmonious blend of these ingredients creates a velvety sauce that beautifully coats the ridges and hollow center of this pasta, making it ideal for holding sauces.
Reasons You’ll ♡ Penne Rosa Recipe
This Penne Pasta in marinara sauce recipe is a delicious dish that suits any dinner occasion and will quickly become a family favorite. Other reasons you will love this recipe are —
- Comes together quickly with essential ingredients
- Perfect for any occasion – potluck parties or get-togethers
- Tastes fantastic and never fails to amaze you
The delicious sauce that covers the pasta makes it a favorite choice for many pasta lovers – kids and adults alike!
Ingredient List for Penne Rosa Recipe
Pasta — Any pasta with grooves works best for this recipe. I have used long, tubular penne pasta, as the sauce seeps into every nook and cranny, coating the pasta beautifully. You can also use other types of curly pasta with small grooves, such as Rotini, farfalle, macaroni, and fusilli, to hold the dressing effectively.
Marinara Sauce — Homemade marinara sauce is the best for our Penne Rosa recipe. It is an awesome Italian pasta sauce that adds authentic Italian flavors and hues, giving the dish Italian vibes! It’s made from fresh, juicy tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs such as basil and oregano, all combined with olive oil. However, if you’re short on time, you can use store-bought tomato basil pasta sauce to simplify the process.
Mushrooms — Baby Bella (Cremini) mushrooms are ideal for this recipe as they lend a mild, earthy flavor and meaty texture. For a quicker option, you can also use pre-sliced white mushrooms.
Cream — This is what gives the sauce its Rosa pink color, so don’t skip the cream! Heavy whipping cream adds richness and a velvety texture to Penne Rosa, contributing to its smoothness and silky texture. However, coconut cream can be used as a vegan alternative. If you want a lighter version of this dish, consider using half and half.
Flavor Squad — Onions and garlic are added to the recipe. Diced onions add a crunch and earthy flavor to the dish, and the exotic taste of garlic provides extra deliciousness to our penne pasta recipe.
Seasonings — Flavorings such as salt, Red chili flakes, and Italian Seasoning ( a robust blend of dried herbs: basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram) elevate the taste of this Penne Rosa recipe. To amp up the flavor instantly, feel free to add more spices like crushed black pepper or paprika, which bring a spicy kick to the recipe. A little heat will complement this recipe well.
Garnish – Basil leaves are essential for Penne Rosa; their tenderness and pleasant aroma enhances the overall dish. For a healthier alternative, consider adding baby spinach leaves.
Oil — Any favorite neutral oil can be used for this healthy delicacy. However, olive oil works the best. Another great option would be Avocado oil.
Recipe Tips and Variations for Penne Rosa Recipe
Use Oil — For this Penne Rosa recipe, it’s best to use oil rather than butter. This is because you’ll be incorporating heavy cream, and combining both butter and heavy cream can result in a sauce that is overly rich and heavy. Using oil will help achieve a balanced flavor and texture, allowing the other ingredients to shine through without being overwhelmed by dairy richness.
Healthy Option — To make this recipe healthy, you can use whole wheat pasta to boost the protein and fiber content. Whole wheat pasta not only adds a nutty flavor but also enhances the nutritional profile of this dish.
Gluten-free option — If you need a gluten-free alternative, it’s easy to adapt this recipe. Just replace the whole wheat pasta with your preferred gluten-free pasta variety. There are many options available, such as rice pasta, quinoa pasta, or lentil pasta, which can provide a similar texture and taste while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
For a tasty Sauce — For this dish, I opted for a homemade marinara sauce, which adds a rich and flavorful touch. But if you have the flexibility to use any jarred pasta sauce, then, I would recommend selecting a sauce with something that has a neutral flavor profile, such as a classic tomato basil or a simple marinara. These options complement the other ingredients well without overwhelming the overall taste.
Cook pasta until al dente — Overcooking pasta can ruin the dish, so cooking it the right way is extremely important. For the best texture, I recommend cooking Penne pasta until it is slightly past al dente—definitely soft but still firm when you bite into it, helping it avoid becoming mushy in the sauce. If you opt for whole-wheat pasta, make sure to cook it thoroughly, as whole-grain pasta that is al dente doesn’t have the best flavor.
Cook over medium heat — After adding cream to a sauce, it’s important to use medium or medium-low heat. Higher temperatures can easily overcook the cream sauce, affecting the proteins and causing the sauce to separate. To prevent this, first allow the sauce to thicken on its own, then lower the heat slightly right before adding the cream. The residual heat will be sufficient to warm all the remaining ingredients.
Great way to enhance Penne Rosa Recipe — Add extra vegetables to boost nutrition – bell peppers and summer squash all work well. Sauté these vegetables right after you transfer the mushrooms, then let them simmer with the sauce. The original version served at Noodles & Company includes both, but I chose to keep this recipe simple with just fresh basil leaves. You can also add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or capers for a bolder flavor.
Season your pasta — Add salt to your pasta water. Put 3 to 4 tablespoons of kosher salt into the boiling water before adding the uncooked pasta. This is an important step to season the pasta and improve the overall flavor of your dish. Salting the water also helps keep the noodles from sticking together and adds flavor to the pasta.
Dried Herbs — I have used Italian seasoning in this recipe, adding it while I cooked the marinara sauce and the heavy cream. You can replace it with dried oregano or add dried basil and rosemary.
Adding extra protein — This meal is packed with flavor and is meatless! If you prefer a non-vegetarian dinner, you can add meat. Parmesan-crusted chicken or sliced grilled chicken would be excellent choices for Penne Rosa.
For a pop of color — Choose baby spinach for this pasta dish because it is very tender. You can use regular spinach or baby kale if you want a heartier leafy green option.
Let me know what you think!
This one-pot meal is full of flavor and easy to adjust to your taste. You only need simple ingredients, making it a great choice for beginner cooks. Penne Rosa may sound fancy, but it’s quick to make and takes only 20 minutes with just a few ingredients.
So, let’s gather our ingredients and begin with the recipe!
Should you make this Penne Rosa recipe in Marinara sauce, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below.
And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.
MORE COMFORTING ONE-POT RECIPES THAT YOU’LL LOVE!
Penne Pasta in marinara sauce
EQUIPMENT
INGREDIENTS
FOR PASTA
- 1 lb Penne Pasta
- 1 teaspoon Olive oil
- A pinch of Salt
FOR MARINARA SAUCE
- 1 medium Onions cubed
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 8 oz Sliced Mushrooms
- ½ cup Heavy whipping cream mixed with 1/4 cup water
- 1½ cups Marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian Herb Seasoning
- – – Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Crushed red chili flakes
- ⅓ cup Fresh Basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS
PASTA PREPARATION
- To cook pasta al dente, start with a large pot of salted water and bring it to a boil.
- Once boiling, add oil and pasta and stir it to keep it from sticking together.
- Check the cooking time on the package, which is usually between 9 to 11 minutes. Set a timer for 8 minutes. Begin checking the pasta about a minute before the timer goes off.
- Look for pasta that is tender but still has a slight bite. It should not feel hard or chalky. Once it reaches this texture, drain the pasta in a colander. PROTIP — Al dente means the pasta should be firm when you bite into it, helping it avoid becoming mushy in the sauce.
MARINARA SAUCE PREPARATION
- Add oil to a large pan over medium-high heat. Add onions.
- Sauté until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add garlic to the pan.
- After the raw smell of garlic is cooked, add mushrooms. PROTIP — add garlic after the onion is cooked, as adding garlic too soon can cause it to burn.
- Cook for 3-4 more minutes, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are fully cooked.
- Add the marinara sauce.
- Season with salt and add Italian seasoning to the simmering sauce.
- Stir in cream.
- Stir in cream into the simmering marinara sauce and mix well. This will result in a delicious and visually appealing pink sauce, known as Rosa sauce.
- It's time to add boiled and strained pasta to the sauce. Add basil leaves.
- Thoroughly coat the penne pasta in the Rosa sauce until all the grooves are evenly smeared and covered in the sauce.
- Garnish with more fresh basil leaves and serve warm.
Good blog! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. Your penne pasta recipe is very tasty and super easy, Thanks to the team! Have a nice day!
Thank you so much! If you are on Facebook you can simply like the ruchiskitchen page and you will see new posts in your feed. You can also subscribe to Twitter or Pinterest. All the social media links (icons) are available on top of the page. If you prefer email just subscribe to the blog. Hope to see you more on the blog!
absolutely agree with the above comment! superb blog. Awesome recipes
clear lucid easy to follow instructions
No long prose or unnecessary rants or flowery prose
and phenomenal step by step pics
very generous of you dear Ruchi to be so helpful.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Deepali. 🙂
Your wonderful feedback is what makes my work all the more worthwhile and special. 😍