One Pot Penne Pasta Recipe

Penne pasta: A type of pasta shaped like tubes, perfect for holding the creamy sauce.

Cherry tomatoes: Small, sweet tomatoes that add a burst of freshness and color.

Vegetable broth: A flavorful liquid made from simmering vegetables, used to cook the pasta and add depth to the dish.

Heavy cream: A rich dairy product that makes the sauce creamy and luscious.

Parmesan cheese: A hard, aged cheese that adds a salty, nutty flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth.

Olive oil: Used to sauté the garlic and tomatoes, adding a rich, fruity flavor.

Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor that complements the other ingredients.

Fresh basil: Adds a fresh, herbal note that elevates the dish.

When cooking the garlic, make sure to keep a close eye on it and stir frequently. Garlic can burn quickly, turning bitter and overpowering the dish. Aim for a light golden color to achieve a fragrant and flavorful base for your pasta.

• penne pasta - Substitute with fusilli: Fusilli has a similar cooking time and texture, making it a great alternative for one-pot dishes.

• cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar sweetness and juiciness, providing the same burst of flavor.

• vegetable broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth adds a rich, savory flavor that complements the pasta well.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk provides a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness, making it a good dairy-free alternative.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino romano has a similar salty, nutty flavor and melts well into the sauce.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a depth of umami flavor while also providing the necessary saltiness.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile but is slightly milder and less pungent.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable alternative for sautéing.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can enhance the dish similarly to garlic.

• fresh basil - Substitute with fresh parsley: Fresh parsley provides a bright, herbaceous flavor that complements the other ingredients well.

• Allow the penne pasta to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.
• Transfer the cooled pasta into an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to avoid squishing the cherry tomatoes and basil.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The pasta will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the pasta. Place the pasta in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of its freshness.
• When ready to reheat, if frozen, thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat the pasta on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of vegetable broth or heavy cream to help revive the creamy texture.
• Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent sticking. If the pasta seems too thick, add a bit more liquid until the desired consistency is achieved.
• For a quick microwave option, place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
• Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the pasta is heated through. Add a splash of olive oil or heavy cream if needed to maintain the creamy texture.
• Garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving to enhance the flavors.

• Stovetop Method: Place the leftover penne pasta in a skillet or saucepan. Add a splash of vegetable broth or heavy cream to help rehydrate the pasta. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. This method helps maintain the creamy texture and prevents the pasta from drying out.

• Microwave Method: Transfer the pasta to a microwave-safe dish. Add a small amount of vegetable broth or heavy cream to keep it moist. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the pasta is heated evenly.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the penne pasta in an oven-safe dish. Add a bit of vegetable broth or heavy cream to prevent it from drying out. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through. This method is great for reheating larger portions.

• Double Boiler Method: Fill a pot with water and bring it to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the water. Add the leftover pasta to the bowl and stir occasionally until heated through. This gentle method helps retain the creamy consistency without overcooking the pasta.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the penne pasta in an air fryer-safe dish. Add a bit of vegetable broth or heavy cream to keep it moist. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the pasta is warmed evenly. This method gives a slightly crispy texture to the pasta.

• Large pot: used for cooking the pasta and combining all ingredients in one vessel, ensuring even cooking and easy cleanup.

• Wooden spoon: perfect for stirring the ingredients without scratching the pot, ensuring everything is well mixed.

• Chef's knife: essential for chopping the garlic and basil, providing precise cuts.

• Cutting board: provides a safe and clean surface for chopping the garlic and basil.

• Measuring cups: used to measure the vegetable broth, heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese accurately.

• Measuring spoons: ensures precise measurement of salt and black pepper.

• Garlic press: an optional tool for mincing garlic quickly and efficiently.

• Colander: useful if you need to drain the pasta, although not necessary for this one-pot recipe.

• Grater: used for grating the parmesan cheese if you are using a block of cheese instead of pre-grated.

Prep ingredients in advance: Chop garlic and halve cherry tomatoes ahead of time to streamline cooking.

Use pre-grated cheese: Save time by using pre-grated parmesan cheese instead of grating it yourself.

One-pot cooking: Cooking everything in one pot minimizes cleanup and keeps the process efficient.

Quick boil: Use an electric kettle to pre-boil water for the vegetable broth to speed up the simmering process.

Fresh herbs last: Add fresh basil at the end to maintain its flavor and save time on chopping during cooking.