25 Penne Pasta Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight

Updated February 12, 2020
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Got an open box of penne pasta? We've got you covered. From vegetarian-approved dishes (like this Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce and this Butternut Squash and Parsnip Baked Pasta) to meaty, crowdpleasing suppers (this One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards is amazing for fall nights), you're sure to find a new favorite among our best penne recipes.

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Creamy Pesto-and-Shrimp Penne with Peas

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Creamy Pesto-and-Shrimp Penne with Peas Recipe

Pre-peeled shrimp, frozen peas, and store-bought pesto makes this flavorful pasta come together in minutes. Instead of buying the jarred, shelf-stable version, choose the kind found in the refrigerator case (we like Bear Pond Farm Premium Basil Pesto).

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Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Chicken Penne

Credit: The Food Gays

Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Chicken Penne Recipe

Creamy, cheesy, chicken pasta—what’s not to love? This cozy 25-minute meal from The Food Gays is sure to become your new go-to this Fall.

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Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce Recipe

Simple and delicious, Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce is perfect with a simple salad and a glass of red.

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Penne Alla Vodka Pizza

Credit: Daniel Agee; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Penne Alla Vodka Pizza Recipe

You are sure to love this irresistible pie that combines 2 favorites: vodka pasta and homemade pizza. 

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Baked Ziti with Sausage

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Baked Ziti with Sausage Recipe

Whether it’s a holiday dinner or simply a weekend family meal, this baked ziti with sausage is always the right decision. Hearty, cheesy, and loaded with robust, savory flavors, a pasta bake like this is cold weather comfort food at its finest.

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One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards Recipe

Rather than boiling the noodles in a separate pot, we cooked them with the chicken stock and other ingredients. The starch from the pasta thickens the broth, making a surprisingly rich sauce without butter or cream.

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Whole Wheat Pasta with Sausage, Leeks, and Fontina

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Whole Wheat Pasta with Sausage, Leeks, and Fontina Recipe

Serve a heart-warming veggie, sausage, and pasta toss for a quick dinner on a cool night.

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Penne with Sausage, Eggplant, and Feta

Credit: Randy Mayor

Penne with Sausage, Eggplant, and Feta Recipe

Meaty breakfast sausage, earthy eggplant, and zesty feta complement each other in this hearty pasta dish.

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Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Penne

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Penne Recipe

If broccoli rabe is a bit bitter for your family or if you have trouble finding it, chopped broccoli would be a delicious substitute. Serve with extra lemon for more zip.

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BLT Pasta Salad

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Are you the parent of a picky eater? This BLT pasta salad was made for you. Not only will it please even the most discerning palates, it's super quick and simple to whip up on a weeknight. This easy meal prep recipe will make packed lunches a breeze. 

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Butternut Squash and Parsnip Baked Pasta

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Butternut Squash and Parsnip Baked Pasta Recipe

This meatless dish combines two autumn vegetables that I love. It's warming, spicy, and very satisfying. It's homey enough to serve on weeknights and festive enough to serve during the holidays.

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Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro

Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta Recipe

Whip up this outstanding pasta and squash casserole for an easy family meal. Mini penne pasta works well in this dish since it's about the same size as the squash. You can also use elbow macaroni, shell pasta, or orecchiette.

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Cheesy Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Victoria Cox

Cheesy Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

This Cheesy Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower is wonderfully hearty. Don't worry--it's much easier than it looks.

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Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers Recipe

This spicy, heavily smoked pork sausage is seasoned slowly and cooked over pecan wood and sugarcane to achieve its distinctive flavor and firm texture. Andouille is sold ready-to-eat, with or without heating. Although it is fully cooked, it must be refrigerated.

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Roasted Vegetable Baked Ziti

Credit: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Deb Wise

Roasted Vegetable Baked Ziti Recipe

This hearty pasta bake is the ideal dish of cheesy comfort food for cooler weather. We love the depth of caramelized flavor roasted veggies bring to this dish; plus, and you can swap in your favorite vegetables to make your own perfect pan of baked ziti.

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Pasta with Chickpea Sauce

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Pasta with Chickpea Sauce Recipe

Onions, carrots, and garlic cook in olive oil until buttery soft, then get blended with chickpeas and water to form a deeply savory puree that coats pasta beautifully. It’s a satisfying dish that just happens to be vegan.

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Roasted Tomato, Salami, and Mozzarella Pasta

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Roasted Tomato, Salami, and Mozzarella Pasta Recipe

This recipe gives you all the favorite flavors of a baked pasta dish without heating up the oven. Round out this easy weeknight meal with a simple and satisfying dessert.

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Spinach Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Spinach Pesto Pasta with Shrimp Recipe

Pesto is a great big-batch sauce for using up a mix of herbs and greens, but it tends to go army-green if made ahead. We quickly blanch spinach and basil to preserve the color without diluting flavor, then bump up the green with fresh parsley.

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One-Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

One-Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake Recipe

This easy skillet pasta bake is a surefire family hit. Pasta and meat sauce topped with mozzarella cheese will make everyone at the table happy, and the all-in-one-pot technique will have the cook smiling pretty.

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Whole Wheat Pasta with Sausage, Leeks, and Fontina

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Whole Wheat Pasta with Sausage, Leeks, and Fontina Recipe

Serve a heart-warming veggie, sausage, and pasta toss for a quick dinner on a cool night.

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Kale Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Kale Pesto Pasta with Shrimp Recipe

Making pesto out of leafy greens is a great way to pack lots of veggies into each serving of pasta. While traditional pesto uses basil, a kale pesto is equally hearty and fresh, plus it's loaded with antioxidants and protein. Make the pesto in advance if you're short on time and store it in the refrigerator, although it's best eaten the day of.

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Broccoli and Cheddar Chicken Pasta

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Broccoli and Cheddar Chicken Pasta Recipe

Instead of adding broccoli florets to the pasta, a double serving is incorporated into the creamy sauce. Heat the broccoli and sear the chicken while the pasta cooking water comes to a boil. The leaner dairy components create a creamy taste without all the added calories and fat or a typical broccoli and cheddar pasta dish.

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Cherry Tomato Pasta With Proscuitto and Asiago

Credit: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Cherry Tomato Pasta With Proscuitto and Asiago Recipe

This blistered cherry tomato pasta (with delicous prosciutto and asiago, of course) is everything a quick and easy pasta should be. We love how all the ingredients work together to create a wonderful textural experience. Hungry for more? Check out Our Best One-Pot Pasta Recipes Ever and Our Favorite Cozy Pasta Casseroles next. 

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Shrimp, Asparagus, and Penne Pasta

Credit: Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro

Shrimp, Asparagus, and Penne Pasta Recipe

The homemade pasta sauce in this dish is flavored with garlic, oregano, and crushed red pepper, and cooks quickly while the pasta boils. Serve with salad and focaccia wedges.

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Farmers' Market Pasta Salad

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Farmers' Market Pasta Salad Recipe

Cook the pasta al dente (1 or 2 minutes shorter than package directions specify) so it holds its shape when tossed with the vegetables and vinaigrette. Ripe for riffs, the salad is also delicious with cheese-filled tortellini.

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