Garlic Tomato Penne 🧄🍅🌿🍝 Bold, Simple, and Packed With Garlic in a Silky Tomato Sauce

This is pantry pasta at its finest — just garlic, olive oil, crushed tomatoes, and penne. The trick? Letting the garlic infuse the oil until golden, then simmering with tomatoes for richness and sweetness.

It’s fast, adaptable, and endlessly comforting, whether solo or served with roasted veg, shrimp, or chicken.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the pasta

• 8 oz penne (or any short pasta)
• Salted water for boiling
• ¼ cup reserved pasta water

For the sauce

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Optional: 1 tbsp butter (for richness)

To finish

• Fresh basil or parsley
• Grated Parmesan or Pecorino
• Extra olive oil or chili oil drizzle

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the pasta
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Sauté garlic
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook slowly, stirring, for 2–3 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant — not brown.

Step 3: Add tomatoes
Stir in crushed tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar if needed. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and slightly reduced.

Step 4: Combine
Add drained pasta and splash of pasta water to the sauce. Toss to coat and cook 1–2 minutes more. Add butter if using, and swirl to melt.

Step 5: Serve hot
Top with Parmesan, herbs, and a drizzle of oil. Serve immediately.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed spinach or kale at the end for a green boost
• Stir in roasted mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers
• Toss with shrimp or grilled chicken for protein
• Use anchovy paste with the garlic for umami depth
• Add a spoonful of pesto or ricotta for a creamy twist

Pro Tips

• Slice garlic thinly and sauté gently — it’s the flavor star here
• Use good-quality canned tomatoes for best flavor
• Simmer sauce long enough to develop sweetness and reduce acidity
• Don’t skip the pasta water — it helps emulsify the sauce
• Add finishing olive oil for flavor and a glossy finish

Final Thoughts

Garlic Tomato Penne is proof that a few ingredients, treated well, make magic. It’s fast, bold, and satisfying — the kind of pasta you crave on a weeknight and serve proudly on a weekend.

Slice it. Simmer it. Swirl up that garlic goodness. 🧄🍅🌿🍝

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