50 Easy Penne Pasta Recipes for the Weeknight Dinner Win

Christine Hadden

Tue, October 15, 2024 at 8:01 PM UTC

9 min read

Pasta is a versatile and cost-effective ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from bakes to salads to one-pot skillet meals.
Penne pasta, with its ridged sides and one-bite size, is a popular choice for recipes due to its ability to hold flavor and pair well with meats and sauces.
There are endless possibilities for penne pasta recipes, including Penne alla Vodka, Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta, and Baked Penne, offering a range of flavors and textures to suit different tastes.

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.

The variety of pasta I especially like using in recipes is penne pasta though, and these 50 best penne pasta recipesprove 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!

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.

<p>Kristin Teig</p><p>A modest amount of Calabrian chile paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes deliver bold, zesty flavor in this easy weeknight-friendly pasta dish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>There are so many things you can make with a bag of <a href= — 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**

<p>Jose Picaya</p><p>This dish has as much cauliflower as pasta. So you should feel good eating it.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

**Related:** **Ina Garten's Weeknight Bolognese Gives You Slow-Simmered Flavor in 30 Minutes**

<p>Mark Thomas</p><p>This veggie-topped pasta is super simple to make—it only has five ingredients!—but creamy <a href= — 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**

<p>iStock</p><p>It's the combination of cream and tomato sauce that gives this dish its signature flavor. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Chad Elick</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Chef Jon Ashton</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>This Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad has all the flavors we love from the <a href= — 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**

<p>Sheila Lukins</p><p>A fabulous pasta starring two bell peppers and one exceptional type of Italian salami.</p><p><strong>G</strong><strong>et the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Michael Edwards</p><p>This is nothing but cozy cheesy bliss.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Michael Edwards

This is nothing but cozy cheesy bliss.

**Get the recipe:** **Baked Pasta With Mushrooms And Mozzarella**

<p>The Kids Cook Monday</p><p>Eggplant and zucchini are grilled and tossed with <a href= — 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**

<p>Paul Johnson</p><p>A sandwich, but make it pasta. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Paul Johnson

A sandwich, but make it pasta.

**Get the recipe:** **BLT-rific Mac 'n Cheese**

<p>Melissa Sperka</p><p>This mayo-less <a href= — 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**

<p>Mark Boughton Photography</p><p>This pasta casserole hits all the comfort food buttons. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Mark Boughton Photography

This pasta casserole hits all the comfort food buttons.

**Get the recipe:** **Creamy Tomato White Bean Penne Pasta Bake**

<p>Sheila Lukins</p><p>This pasta hinges on the oil from the artichokes, because it is flavorful and adds punch.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Julie's Eats & Treats</p><p>A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring diced ham, penne pasta and peas in a creamy sauce. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Foody Schmoody Blog</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Organized Chaos</p><p>A tasty and comforting meal you won't get enough of.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Healing Tomato</p><p>Creamy pasta made with mushrooms, spinach, coconut milk, not a drop of dairy. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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)**

<p>Foody Schmoody Blog</p><p>A chicken broccoli ziti pasta that rivals anything from a fancy restaurant.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Foody Schmoody Blog

A chicken broccoli ziti pasta that rivals anything from a fancy restaurant.

**Get the recipe:** **Restaurant-Style Chicken Broccoli Pasta**

<p>My Pure Plants</p><p>You only need five ingredients and 15 minutes to whip up this easy breezy lemon pepper penne recipe. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe:<a href= — 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**

<p>Butter Your Biscuit</p><p>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. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Lauren From Scratch</p><p>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. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Foody Schmoody Blog</p><p>Rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken help make this an easy weeknight meal the entire family will want to devour.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Inspiration For Moms</p><strong>A five ingredient chicken pesto penne for spring? Groundbreaking and delicious.</strong><p><strong>Get the recipe:<a href= — Inspiration For Moms

**A five ingredient chicken pesto penne for spring? Groundbreaking and delicious.**

**Get the recipe:** **Spring Chicken Pesto Penne With Mozzarella**

<p>Simply Scrumptious</p><p>Made with roasted butternut squash, and spinach, this homemade creamy sauce pairs perfectly with penne pasta.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Fantabulocsity</p><p>An easy dinner idea that is ready in a flash, especially when using a rotisserie chicken and bottled BBQ sauce.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>An Italian In My Kitchen</p><p>Made with broccoli, Parmesan cheese and a creamy white sauce, it makes the most delicious pasta casserole!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

**Related:** **41 Tasty Pasta Dish Recipes to Feed a Crowd**

<p>Brooklyn Active Mama</p><p>A spot-on riff of the super popular penne pasta dish from Applebees.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Krumpli</p><p>You won't get enough of this hearty winter penne dish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Krumpli

You won't get enough of this hearty winter penne dish.

**Get the recipe:** **Wild Boar Ragu With Penne**

<p>Profusion Curry</p><p>Anyone who misses out on this fresh and flavorful pesto pasta will seriously be green with envy.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>No Sweat Vegan</p><p>A healthy, meat-free twist on a classic Tuscan combination.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — No Sweat Vegan

A healthy, meat-free twist on a classic Tuscan combination.

**Get the recipe:** **Penne Pasta With Vegan Italian Sausage**

<p>Splash Of Taste</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Chisel and Fork</p><p>Tossed with some tomato purée, cream and cooked ham, this penne al baffo is one of those quick and easy pasta dishes everyone loves.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Living Lou</p><p>A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Living Lou

A light and fresh pasta salad with lemon herb vinaigrette.

**Get the recipe:** **Pasta Salad With Lemon Herb Vinaigrette**

<p>The Magical Slow Cooker</p><p>The secret ingredient to the creamiest slow cooker chicken pasta? Olive Garden Italian Dressing!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Love From The Oven</p><p>Easy, meaty, and so comforting.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Love From The Oven

Easy, meaty, and so comforting.

**Get the recipe:** **Easy Sausage Pasta**

<p>Gypsyplate</p><p>A creamy jerk pasta loaded with red, green and yellow peppers. You can top it off with either shrimp or chicken, or both.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Life's Little Sweets</p><p>A bright and zippy weeknight wonder.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Life's Little Sweets

A bright and zippy weeknight wonder.

**Get the recipe:** **Lemon Chicken Piccata Penne**

<p>Piping Pot Curry</p><p>A creamy bowl of pasta loaded with fresh greens.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Piping Pot Curry

A creamy bowl of pasta loaded with fresh greens.

**Get the recipe:** **Instant Pot Lemon Asparagus Pasta**

<p>Kim Schob</p><p>This minimal-effort chicken penne tastes like it came straight out of Olive Garden. Did we mention it only uses five ingredients?</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Will Cook For Smiles</p><p>Basil, garlic and pasta. Name a more iconic trio.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Will Cook For Smiles

Basil, garlic and pasta. Name a more iconic trio.

**Get the recipe:** **Homemade Basil And Roasted Garlic Baked Penne**

<p>Flavours Treat</p><p>This creamy, mildly sweet carrot pasta sauce will delight your inner bunny. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Flavours Treat

This creamy, mildly sweet carrot pasta sauce will delight your inner bunny.

**Get the recipe:** **Pasta With Carrot Sauce**

<p>Balance With Jess</p><p>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!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Plant Based On A Budget</p><p>Summer pasta eating starts with this easy vegetable penne dish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — Plant Based On A Budget

Summer pasta eating starts with this easy vegetable penne dish.

**Get the recipe:** **Easy Eggplant Penne**

<p>Our Love Language Is Food</p><p>This savory pumpkin and Boursin pasta is basically fall in a bowl. It's creamy, easy to make, and packed with herby goodness. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Healthy With A Chance Of Sprinkles</p><p>Allow me to introduce you to your new favorite pasta salad.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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**

<p>Parade</p><p>This easy, chef-approved lobster mac and cheese is basically heaven in a pan. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href= — Parade

This easy, chef-approved lobster mac and cheese is basically heaven in a pan.

**Get the recipe:** **Lobster Mac and Cheese**

<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>You can never go wrong with a versatile meatball recipe like this one, which gets some help from frozen store-bought meatballs.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href= — 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**

**Next up:** **9 Best Gnocchi Recipes to Try Tonight**

<p>Theresa Greco</p><p>This high-protein, creamy tomato pasta is an easy dinner recipe full of flavor from homemade marinara sauce and cottage cheese.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href= — 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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What Is Penne Pasta?

Best Penne Pasta Recipes