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15 Best Penne Pasta Recipes That Make an Easy Weeknight Dinner
This pasta shape is a family favorite!
By 
Pasta holds a special place in Ree Drummond's heart. "If I were stranded on a desert island and could choose only one category of food to eat the rest of my life, I'd pick pasta hands down," she says. And with so many pasta recipes to choose from, it's impossible to get bored with eating pasta. Keep a few boxes in your pantry at all times and you'll have tons of easy dinner ideas ready in an instant. Take these penne pasta recipes, for example. The classic pasta shape makes whipping up one-pot dinners, pasta salads, and chicken pasta recipes a breeze! Not to mention, penne pasta (and spaghetti recipes, too) is a favorite amongst families.
This crowd-pleasing noodle gets its name from the Latin word for "quill" or "pen," and it's often described as looking like a fountain pen thanks to the diagonally cut ends. The tube shape can come in two varieties: smooth or ridged. Either way, it’s the perfect pasta for hearty sauces or baked pasta dishes. Penne is also a great noodle to use in place of rigatoni, ziti, or other pasta recipes that have a cylindrical shape. Looking for some Italian dinner inspiration? Try the caprese chicken pasta, pasta with zucchini pesto, or one of Ree's favorites: penne alla Besty, named after her sister!
Penne with Cauliflower and Caramelized Onions
Once you try caramelized onions, you'll never be the same! The rich flavor makes this otherwise simple penne pasta recipe shine.
Get Ree's Penne with Cauliflower and Caramelized Onions recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This recipe combines pantry ingredients with convenient store-bought rotisserie chicken and a creamy homemade dressing for an easy make-ahead pasta salad.
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Caprese Chicken Pasta
Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and hearty chicken come together for this 25-minute meal. Note that you can swap the rigatoni for penne easily!
Get Ree's Caprese Chicken Pasta recipe.
One-Pot Broccoli Alfredo Pasta
Keep the cleanup to a minimum with this one-pot pasta recipe where the penne noodles cook in the same pan as the sauce. It's so easy!
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
Skip the marinara and try this sauce made out of creamy butternut squash! It's a comforting dish and a great way to add extra veggies on the table.
Get the Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta recipe.
Pasta with Zucchini Pesto
If there's one thing Ree loves more than pasta itself, it's pesto! This one is made from summer veggies. Just swap the rigatoni for penne instead.
Get the Pasta with Zucchini Pesto recipe.
Baked Ziti
As the name implies, this dish is typically made with ziti. But Ree also suggests using mostaccioli, which is a variation of penne.
Get Ree's Baked Ziti recipe.
Penne a la Betsy
This is Ree and her sister Betsy's "favorite pasta dish of all time." It's a creamy combination of shrimp, tomato sauce, garlic, wine and herbs.
Get Ree's Penne a la Betsy recipe.
Roasted Zucchini and Eggplant Puttanesca
This summery pasta uses tons of roasted veggies, like zucchini and eggplant, plus briny olives and crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
This recipe is everything you love about creamy, cheesy spinach artichoke dip with the addition of penne pasta, so you can eat it for dinner!
Get Ree's Spinach Artichoke Pasta recipe.
Penne with Mushrooms, Chicken, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This quick and easy dinner has plenty of hearty chicken and mushrooms coated in a light cheese sauce. You can serve it up with just about any veggie side.
Get the Penne with Mushrooms, Chicken, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes recipe.
Penne Alla Vodka
You won't actually taste the vodka in this classic pasta dish. It helps to deglaze the pan after cooking the pancetta.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
This recipe has three major components: Cajun-spiced chicken, peppers and onions, and penne pasta. Oh, and let's not forget about the ultra-creamy sauce!
One-Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta
This ground beef recipe uses a smaller penne noodle called mezze penne, but you can use regular penne instead. Just be sure to increase the cook time, if needed.
Get the One-Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta recipe at Amanda's Cookin'.
Chicken Carbonara Penne
Every component of this pasta dish is made in one pan so the clean up is easy. Plus, it's a fun new way to try a classic carbonara.
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