50 Easy Penne Pasta Recipes for the Weeknight Dinner Win
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Italian Meatballs
While food trends come and go, there's one food that never goes out of style and that food is pasta, my friends! With the cost of food on the rise, you'll find that pasta remains a pretty inexpensive ingredient any time of year.
Something else I love about pasta is that it can really stretch a dish or even be a great way to change up leftovers. For instance, if you have leftover Sloppy Joe meat, incorporate that into pasta the second day and you've got a totally revamped dinner.
Related: 38 Instant Pot Pasta Recipes We Love
The variety of pasta I especially like using in recipes is penne pasta though, and these 50 best penne pasta recipes prove you can do anything with this short-cut, ridged noodle that works so well in bakes, warm and cold pasta dishes, soups and more!
What Is Penne Pasta?
Penne is a short cylinder-shaped pasta with ridged sides. The ridges are perfect for meats and sauces to cling to and really hold flavor. Penne is also the perfect one-bite size, so no worrying about making a mess slurping up long noodles!
Related: 30 Types of Pasta Explained
Best Penne Pasta Recipes
I find penne to be quite versatile too, as far as pasta shapes are concerned. I'm talking baked penne pasta, penne pasta salads, one-pot skillet meals with penne and even mac and cheese recipes!
If you find yourself in a dinner rut, grab a box of penne and scarf through this menu for recipe inspiration! There's everything from Penne alla Vodka, Easy Meatball Penne Pasta Bake and One Pot Ham And Penne Skillet, to Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta, Instant Pot Lemon Asparagus Pasta and more.
Kristin Teig
A modest amount of Calabrian chile paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes deliver bold, zesty flavor in this easy weeknight-friendly pasta dish.
Get the recipe: Penne With Spicy Calabrian Shrimp
Krista Marshall
There are so many things you can make with a bag of frozen meatballs, but this Meatball Pasta Bake is a genius place to start.
Get the recipe: Easy Meatball Penne Pasta Bake
Jose Picaya
This dish has as much cauliflower as pasta. So you should feel good eating it.
Get the recipe: Penne With Cauliflower And Breadcrumbs
Mark Thomas
This veggie-topped pasta is super simple to make—it only has five ingredients!—but creamy Alfredo sauce and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan pack plenty of flavor.
Get the recipe: Creamy Penne Wtih Broccoli
iStock
It's the combination of cream and tomato sauce that gives this dish its signature flavor.
Get the recipe: Rocco DiSpirito's Penne alla Vodka
Related: The Easiest Lasagna Recipe
Chad Elick
This dish is creamy, cheesy and so flavorful. Topped with red sauce and more cheesy goodness it's enough to put me over the top. Chicken really rounds the baked pasta dish out and adds a dimension of texture.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Pesto And Chicken Pasta Bake
Chef Jon Ashton
This meaty, cheesy casserole from Parade Chef Jon Ashton is just the thing for cooler fall evenings. The fresh mozzarella melts into creamy pools and the breadcrumbs bake into a crunchy topping that’s hard to resist.
Get the recipe: Baked Penne
Krista Marshall
This Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad has all the flavors we love from the hot dip appetizer but in a cool, creamy delicious new way.
Get the recipe: Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad
Sheila Lukins
A fabulous pasta starring two bell peppers and one exceptional type of Italian salami.
Get the recipe: Penne With Peppers And Sopressata
Related: 101 Easy Pasta Recipes
Michael Edwards
This is nothing but cozy cheesy bliss.
Get the recipe: Baked Pasta With Mushrooms And Mozzarella
The Kids Cook Monday
Eggplant and zucchini are grilled and tossed with shredded chicken, tomatoes and whole wheat penne pasta.
Get the recipe: Chicken Penne With Grilled Zucchini
Paul Johnson
A sandwich, but make it pasta.
Get the recipe: BLT-rific Mac 'n Cheese
Melissa Sperka
This mayo-less pasta salad is fresh with vibrant colors and it makes a tasty addition to your spring menu. It comes together in around 30 minutes but, it's important to allow the salad to chill for a few hours for the flavor combination to really shine through.
Get the recipe: Fresh And Vibrant Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Mark Boughton Photography
This pasta casserole hits all the comfort food buttons.
Get the recipe: Creamy Tomato White Bean Penne Pasta Bake
Sheila Lukins
This pasta hinges on the oil from the artichokes, because it is flavorful and adds punch.
Get the recipe: Plum Tomatoes And Artichokes With Penne
Julie's Eats & Treats
A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring diced ham, penne pasta and peas in a creamy sauce.
Get the recipe: One Pot Ham And Penne Skillet
Foody Schmoody Blog
Unlike traditional stroganoff, this one pot riff on the classic meat dish is ready in about 30 minutes and it's made all in one pan.
Get the recipe: One-Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff
Organized Chaos
A tasty and comforting meal you won't get enough of.
Get the recipe: One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Penne
Related: 60 Easy Pasta Bake Recipes
Healing Tomato
Creamy pasta made with mushrooms, spinach, coconut milk, not a drop of dairy.
Get the recipe: Vegan Mushroom Penne Pasta
Related: The Secret Ingredient to the Creamiest Pasta Sauce (Without Adding Cream)
Foody Schmoody Blog
A chicken broccoli ziti pasta that rivals anything from a fancy restaurant.
Get the recipe: Restaurant-Style Chicken Broccoli Pasta
My Pure Plants
You only need five ingredients and 15 minutes to whip up this easy breezy lemon pepper penne recipe.
Get the recipe: Asparagus Lemon Pepper Penne
Butter Your Biscuit
Creamy garlic shrimp pasta is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love. It’s the perfect all-in-one meal, serve it with a side of bread or a salad.
Get the recipe: Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Lauren From Scratch
Rich and creamy sauce with peppers, onions, and spicy smoky andouille sausage with Cajun spices and bold flavors make for a spicy and decadent pasta dinner.
Get the recipe: Creamy Cajun Andouille Sausage Penne
Foody Schmoody Blog
Rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken help make this an easy weeknight meal the entire family will want to devour.
Get the recipe: Creamy Garlic Penne With Bacon And Chicken
Inspiration For Moms
A five ingredient chicken pesto penne for spring? Groundbreaking and delicious.Get the recipe: Spring Chicken Pesto Penne With Mozzarella
Simply Scrumptious
Made with roasted butternut squash, and spinach, this homemade creamy sauce pairs perfectly with penne pasta.
Get the recipe: Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
Fantabulocsity
An easy dinner idea that is ready in a flash, especially when using a rotisserie chicken and bottled BBQ sauce.
Get the recipe: BBQ Chicken Penne Pasta
An Italian In My Kitchen
Made with broccoli, Parmesan cheese and a creamy white sauce, it makes the most delicious pasta casserole!
Get the recipe: Creamy Broccoli Bacon Penne Casserole
Brooklyn Active Mama
A spot-on riff of the super popular penne pasta dish from Applebees.
Get the recipe: Copycat Applebees Three Cheese Chicken Penne
Krumpli
You won't get enough of this hearty winter penne dish.
Get the recipe: Wild Boar Ragu With Penne
Profusion Curry
Anyone who misses out on this fresh and flavorful pesto pasta will seriously be green with envy.
Get the recipe: Penne Pesto Primavera
No Sweat Vegan
A healthy, meat-free twist on a classic Tuscan combination.
Get the recipe: Penne Pasta With Vegan Italian Sausage
Splash Of Taste
Full of rich tomato flavor, with garlic, fresh basil, and the all-important red pepper flakes, this is spicy pasta is sure to become a go-to meal in your house.
Get the recipe: Penne Arrabiata
Chisel and Fork
Tossed with some tomato purée, cream and cooked ham, this penne al baffo is one of those quick and easy pasta dishes everyone loves.
Get the recipe: Penne al Baffo
Living Lou
A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette.
Get the recipe: Pasta Salad With Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
The Magical Slow Cooker
The secret ingredient to the creamiest slow cooker chicken pasta? Olive Garden Italian Dressing!
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Love From The Oven
Easy, meaty, and so comforting.
Get the recipe: Easy Sausage Pasta
Gypsyplate
A creamy jerk pasta loaded with red, green and yellow peppers. You can top it off with either shrimp or chicken, or both.
Get the recipe: Rasta Pasta
Life's Little Sweets
A bright and zippy weeknight wonder.
Get the recipe: Lemon Chicken Piccata Penne
Piping Pot Curry
A creamy bowl of pasta loaded with fresh greens.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Kim Schob
This minimal-effort chicken penne tastes like it came straight out of Olive Garden. Did we mention it only uses five ingredients?
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Italian Tomato Chicken Penne
Will Cook For Smiles
Basil, garlic and pasta. Name a more iconic trio.
Get the recipe: Homemade Basil And Roasted Garlic Baked Penne
Flavours Treat
This creamy, mildly sweet carrot pasta sauce will delight your inner bunny.
Get the recipe: Pasta With Carrot Sauce
Balance With Jess
This pasta cake is smothered with homemade caramelized onions and topped with melty Gruyere cheese to create a delicious sweet and savory casserole. Talk about cozy!
Get the recipe: French Onion Chicken Penne Pasta Bake
Plant Based On A Budget
Summer pasta eating starts with this easy vegetable penne dish.
Get the recipe: Easy Eggplant Penne
Our Love Language Is Food
This savory pumpkin and Boursin pasta is basically fall in a bowl. It's creamy, easy to make, and packed with herby goodness.
Get the recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Penne With Boursin Cheese
Healthy With A Chance Of Sprinkles
Allow me to introduce you to your new favorite pasta salad.
Get the recipe: Loaded Vegetable Greek Pasta Salad
Parade
This easy, chef-approved lobster mac and cheese is basically heaven in a pan.
Get the recipe: Lobster Mac and Cheese
Krista Marshall
You can never go wrong with a versatile meatball recipe like this one, which gets some help from frozen store-bought meatballs.
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Italian Meatballs with Penne
Theresa Greco
This high-protein, creamy tomato pasta is an easy dinner recipe full of flavor from homemade marinara sauce and cottage cheese.
Get the recipe: Feel Good Foodie's Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe
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