One-Pot Wonder: Creamy penne arrabbiata is an easy spin on an Italian classic

Nothing is more comforting than a big bowl of pasta covered in fresh tomato sauce. But a homemade pasta dinner doesn’t have to keep you in the kitchen for hours on end anymore thanks to this easy recipe.

Pasta arrabbiata (a classic spicy Italian tomato sauce) just got easier. No-boil penne makes this one-pot meal a breeze to whip up. If you can’t find no-boil pasta, don’t stress; just use regular pasta, and prepare as directed on the box.

I wanted to make a simple, rustic sauce for this dish, using up all my juicy tomatoes and fresh herbs. Top it off with lots of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for one delicious summer dinner the whole family can enjoy.

One-pot creamy penne arrabbiata recipe

Light yet delicious, this vegetarian-friendly pasta dish comes together effortlessly yet tastes like it spent hours being prepared.

Serves 6

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounce) box no-boil penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 sweet onion, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound Roma tomatoes, diced
• 2 cups canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup sweet red wine
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 large handful fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• Fresh grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
• Extra basil, for garnish

Directions:

1. To a large pot, add the pasta and water, and cook as directed on the package (as the no-boil pasta cooks, the water will dissipate, leaving only the cooked pasta). Transfer the pasta to a bowl, and set it aside.
2. To the same pot, add the olive oil, onions and garlic, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
3. Add in the remaining ingredients except for the heavy whipping cream. Cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the heavy whipping cream, add in the cooked pasta, and mix gently.
4. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the pasta is heated through, and garnish the dish with fresh Parmesan and extra basil.
5. Serve right from the pot, family-style. Best served warm.

More one-pot pasta recipes

One-Pot rigatoni with chicken and mushrooms
One-Pot quinoa, pasta and bean soup
One-Pot turkey sausage pasta skillet