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This Penne Pasta recipe is quick, easy, and packed with flavor! Tender penne is tossed with sweet tomatoes, fresh asparagus, and a delicious balsamic sauce for a simple yet delicious dish.
Guys, gals, my internet pals, I hope you’re taking some time to relax and recharge those batteries. Monday will soon be here, and you’ll be wishing you HAD relaxed and chilled and finished that last cookie before starting your Monday diet again.
However, if you’re into the Meatless Monday movement, this penne pasta recipe is one to bookmark! It’s quick, easy, and bursting with texture and fresh flavors. Tender pasta is tossed with sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp asparagus, and a rich balsamic reduction sauce, then finished with butter and parmesan for a simple yet seriously satisfying meal. It serves perfectly as a light dinner or a flavorful side dish!
Why You’ll Love This Penne Pasta Recipe
Versatile: Whether you prefer whole wheat, gluten-free, or classic penne pasta, this recipe works with any variety, making it easy to customize to your needs and dietary preferences.
Quick & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, this penne pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal stat.
Fresh & Flavorful: The combination of balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, and asparagus creates a bright, well-balanced dish with layers of flavor in every bite.
What You’ll Need
Personally, I think it’s time to grub on some pasta, and I couldn’t think of any better way to do it than to toss it around with a bit of buttah and balsamico. And veggies for color. Below, I’ve included all the ingredients with some notes and possible substitutions, but for the full amounts and detailed instructions, please scroll to the recipe card.
- Penne Pasta – Whole wheat or gluten-free works great! You can also swap with rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle if you prefer a different shape.
- Olive Oil – Used for sautéing the asparagus and tomatoes. Avocado oil or melted butter can also be used.
- Asparagus – Trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces. You can substitute with green beans, zucchini, or broccoli for a similar fresh, crisp texture.
- Cherry Tomatoes – Swap with grape tomatoes, diced Roma tomatoes, or sun-dried tomatoes for a richer taste.
- Salt & Pepper – Essential for seasoning. Sea salt, kosher salt, or freshly cracked black pepper all work well.
- Balsamic Vinegar – Reduced to create a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Brown Sugar – Balances the acidity of the balsamic. You can also use honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar as a natural sweetener.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and a silky texture to sauce and the penne pasta.
- Parmesan Cheese – Because everything’s better with cheese! If you need a substitute, try Pecorino Romano or shredded mozzarella for extra cheesiness.
How to Make This Penne Pasta Recipe
We are first going to go to those veggie bins and bust out all the delicious things in there. The best part is the sauce that is about to marry all of them together. A balsamic reduction meets a bit of brown sugar meets a few pats of butter. Yep, things are gonna get REAL good!
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté the veggies – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the asparagus for a few minutes, then add the tomatoes and cook until tender. Set aside.
- Make the balsamic sauce – Simmer balsamic vinegar until reduced and slightly thickened. Stir in brown sugar and remove from heat.
- Toss everything together – Mix the drained pasta with butter and balsamic reduction, then stir in the veggies and parmesan.
- Serve & enjoy! Divide into bowls, top with extra parmesan if desired, and dig in!
Recipe Variations
- Add Protein: Incorporate grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make this penne pasta recipe more filling. For inspiration, check out this garlic butter salmon or this baked chicken breasts recipe.
- Make It Creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream to make a richer, creamier sauce that complements the pasta and vegetables beautifully.
- Swap the Veggies: Feel free to substitute or add vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach to customize the dish to your taste preferences and make use of seasonal produce.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use your preferred gluten-free pasta to enjoy this recipe without gluten, ensuring it suits your dietary needs while still being delicious.
Serving Suggestions
Want to round out this pasta dinner? Start with these garlic breadsticks—because bread + pasta = perfection. Pair it with a fresh, crisp Cobb salad for some greens to balance things out. And of course, don’t forget dessert! My chocolate mug cake is the rich, fudgy chocolate fix you need to finish off this meal the right way, and it’s ready in like 3 minutes!
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Penne Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry penne pasta, you can also use whole wheat penne or gluten free pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ⅔ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into a few pieces
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.
- Cook the asparagus. In the meantime, heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and cook for 3 minutes; stir in tomatoes and continue to cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the veggies are tender. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the balsamic. Return the skillet over medium-low heat; add balsamic vinegar to the skillet and simmer until reduced to about 1/4 cup and thickened. Whisk in the light brown sugar and remove from heat.
- Combine. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot that you cooked it in. Add butter and the reduced balsamic vinegar to the pasta; toss until well combined. Add the asparagus, tomatoes, and grated parmesan; gently stir until thoroughly incorporated.
- Serve. Divide up the penne pasta between four bowls, garnish with more parmesan cheese if you like, and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
can you substitute the tomatoes with a little tomato pasta sauce? i dont like whole tomatoes in anything sadly.
Made this last night. Delicious! Added bacon for some added protein. I am on Weight Watchers (lost 25 lb since February) & appreciate the ww points info on your recipes.