Homemade Penne Pomodoro with Garlic and Fresh Tomatoes

Penne Pomodoro is a quintessential Italian pasta dish that epitomizes simplicity and flavor. This recipe combines al dente penne pasta with a luscious tomato sauce infused with garlic and fresh basil, offering a delightful culinary experience that's both comforting and invigorating. In this blog post, you'll learn how to prepare this classic dish, discover its origins, and explore various tips and variations to make it your own

The original recipe was published in March 2020 and has been updated with updated instructions and information.

What is Penne Pomodoro?

Penne Pomodoro is an Italian pasta dish using short tubular noodles and a red tomato based sauce. Traditional pomodoro recipes use fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and salt. You can also add other fresh vegetables like onions and carrots. The Instant Pot turns this Italian classic into an easy, one pot meal your whole family will love.

Penne Pomodoro Carrabba’s Style

Carrabba’s is a popular Italian American restaurant chain. They offer classic and modern takes on several Italian dishes, including penne pomodoro. Whenever we go there, I enjoy the fresh baked bread and their flavorful penne pomodoro. 

If you enjoy Carrabba’s penne pomodoro, you’ll love this version of the recipe. And you’ll find that using the Instant Pot cuts down on a lot of the work required to make this delish pasta. Make your favorite penne pomodoro at home and save money!

Ingredients you need to make Penne Pomodoro

• Penne Pasta : The tubular shape holds the sauce well, ensuring each bite is flavorful
• San Marzano whole peeled plum tomatoes (pureed)
• Onions
• Minced garlic
• Water
• Olive oil: Provides a rich base and enhances the sauce's depth.​
• Fresh Basil leaves: Imparts a fragrant, slightly sweet note that complements the tomatoes.​
• Red chili flakes
• Oregano
• Salt and
• Parmesan Cheese

How to make Penne Pomodoro - Step by Step

1. To make penne pomodoro in the Instant Pot, turn it on Saute mode and allow it to heat up. Once the inner pot is hot, add in the olive oil and heat the oil through. Next, add the garlic and onions and cook them for about 2 to 3 minutes or until they become fragrant. Once the onions have cooked  a bit, add in the red chili flakes, oregano, and basil.
2. Once the spices are added, give them a quick stir. Then, add the penne or other pasta directly over the onions. Next, add in the 2 -1/4 cups of water or broth .Sprinkle salt to taste.

   

3. Finally, add in the pureed tomatoes over top of it all but do not stir it at this point.
4. Place the lid on top and set the valve to “Sealing.” Next, set the pressure to high and cook for 5 minutes. Finally, do a Quick release .
5. Open the lid, mix the pasta a bit. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese and some more chopped basil .Serve with your favorite bread, garlic bread, or garlic knots. 

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Result	Solution
Overcooking the pasta	Mushy texture	Cook until just al dente; it will continue to cook slightly in the sauce.
Burning the garlic	Bitter flavor	Sauté garlic on medium heat and watch closely, stirring continuously
Not simmering the sauce long enough	Thin, watery sauce	Allow the sauce to cook for at least 10-15 minutes to develop richness.
Skipping pasta water	Dry pasta, sauce not clinging	Add reserved pasta water to help emulsify the sauce
Using low-quality tomatoes	Bland, unbalanced flavor	Use high-quality canned or fresh tomatoes for the best taste

Pro Tips and Tricks

Penne pomodoro traditionally uses fresh ingredients which you can find at any grocery store. But you can also use some shortcuts that are faster and taste just as good. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you make great tasting penne pomodoro in your Instant Pot:

• If you have the time, you can use fresh tomatoes from the grocery store or your garden. Just be sure to wash them, remove the seeds, and peel them before placing them in the food processor. 
• Use a garlic press to save time in mincing the garlic. The garlic press also helps to release some of the flavors of the garlic.
• Though you can use water to make the pomodoro, using a broth can add extra flavor during cooking. I would recommend using vegetable broth.

Is Penne Pomodoro a Seasonal Recipe

Penne Pomodoro is a year-round dish, but it's best enjoyed when tomatoes are in peak season, typically in the summer. Fresh basil also thrives during warm months, enhancing the dish’s flavors. While it’s a simple weekday meal, it’s also commonly served during family gatherings and Italian feasts.

Is Penne Pomodoro Vegan?

Penne pomodoro is vegan if you stick to the base ingredients. However, if you add in parmesan or other cheese, it is no longer vegan. You can use vegan cheese to make it Vegan.

Arrabiata vs Pomodoro

Arrabiata is another Italian sauce that uses tomatoes as its base. The major difference between arrabiata and pomodoro is that arrabiata uses red chili peppers or other peppers to add spiciness to the sauce. Similar to pomodoro sauce, arrabiata sauce consists of tomatoes, herbs, and spices cooked in olive oil.

My family and I like a bit of heat, so we make our pomodoro sauce with a bit of red chili flake. If you prefer, you can omit the red chili powder, which will cut down significantly on the spiciness level for a much more mild flavor.

What is Pomodoro Sauce made of?

Pomodoro sauce is traditionally made using tomatoes cooked in olive oil along with garlic, basil, salt, and sometimes onions and other vegetables. Pomodoro sauce can vary a bit based on how it is made. In some cases, it is a bit of a chunkier sauce using diced tomatoes.

My penne pomodoro involves pureeing the tomatoes to make a bit of a smoother sauce. If you prefer, you can dice the tomatoes and keep the sauce a bit chunkier. 

Essential Equipment

To make the perfect Penne Pomodoro, you'll need:

• Large pot (for boiling pasta)
• Colander (for draining pasta)
• Large skillet (for making the sauce)
• Wooden spoon (for stirring the sauce)
• Chef’s knife (for chopping garlic and basil)

Can I freeze Penne Pomodoro?

You can freeze penne pomodoro, but it is best served fresh. You can make enough for leftovers so you can send it with your family to work and school. But you should store the penne pomodoro in the fridge in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. 

If you must freeze it, you can, but it may be a bit watery when you unfreeze it. Also, the tomatoes and pasta may lose some of their freshness when freezing it.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Warm on the stovetop with a splash of water or olive oil to revive the sauce.

What tomatoes can I use for my recipe?

When making this recipe, I use San Marzano whole, peeled tomatoes. I find these have the best flavor of all the canned tomato varieties. You can order them here  if you can’t find them at your local store.

If you have fresh garden plum tomatoes or fresh plum tomatoes from the store, you can use them instead. If you use fresh tomatoes, you can puree them after washing, peel them and then puree them, or dice them, if you desire. The skin does not hurt the recipe, it really just a matter of preference. 

Perfect Lunchbox meal for kids!

Having easy recipes that come to the rescue with kitchen staples are a must! Bonus: this dish makes a terrific thermos lunch for both my kiddos. Win-win!

What other type of pasta can I use for this Pomodoro Recipe?

For best results, you should use penne. But if you don’t have penne on hand or can’t find it at your local store, you can use rigatoni, farfalle, fusilli, or cavatappi varieties. You should be able to find these in the pasta aisle at your local store. 

They all have similar shapes or thickness and will work well with this recipe. If you go with spaghetti or other thinner pasta, you would have to adjust the cooking time a bit in the Instant Pot. 

Do you Love Pasta ? You will simply love our Spaghetti Aglio- E- olie or 5 Ingredients Mac- N- Cheese

More Instant pot Pasta Recipes 

• Instant Pot Spaghetti with Lentils
• Vegetarian Instant Pot Baked Ziti
• Easy Summer Orzo Salad 

Do let us know if you made the Penne Pomodoro and how it turned out in comments below.

Penne Pomodoro is proof that simple ingredients can create something truly delicious. Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy family gathering, this classic Italian dish never disappoints. With fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and perfectly cooked pasta, every bite is a taste of Italy. Now it’s your turn—grab your ingredients and give this recipe a try! Buon appetito!