Making a delicious penne with tomato sauce is easier than you think, and it's sure to satisfy your hunger with minimal effort. This recipe uses simple ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen, making it perfect for anyone, from beginners to seasoned cooks.

A rich marinara sauce is made with canned crushed tomatoes, sautéed onions, garlic, and chili flakes. Paired with perfectly cooked penne, it's a meal that's sure to impress.

Ingredients for a Quick Meal

To create this satisfying dish, you'll need just a handful of ingredients:

• Olive oil: This will be used to sauté the onions and garlic, creating a rich base for your sauce.

• Onion: A small amount, finely diced, to add flavor and aroma.

• Red chili flakes: Just half a teaspoon, for a little kick in the sauce.

• Garlic: One clove, minced to enhance the sauce's depth of flavor.

• Crushed tomatoes: One can (14 oz) will form the heart of the sauce.

• Salt: For seasoning, to taste.

• Penne pasta: ½ pound (about 225g) of penne pasta, or your favorite type.

Cooking Steps to Perfection

Preparing the sauce is simple: start by heating a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and finely diced onions, cooking them until they turn translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Then, add the red chili flakes and minced garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes until the mixture is fragrant.

Once your onions and garlic have softened and released their aromas, add the canned crushed tomatoes. Stir everything together and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

While the sauce is simmering, it's time to cook the penne. In a separate large Pan, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to the package instructions, usually around 10-12 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Once the penne is cooked, reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

Bringing It All Together

Once the penne is drained, toss it into the simmering tomato sauce, stirring gently to ensure every piece of pasta is well-coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Taste the sauce and season with salt as needed to bring everything together. This penne with tomato sauce is a comforting and flavorful dish, perfect for any occasion.

Storing and Enjoying

This simple yet tasty dish can be served immediately, hot and full of flavor. If you have leftovers, you can easily store them in the refrigerator for up to a few days, making it an ideal meal prep option.

Now, sit back and enjoy your homemade penne with tomato sauce. It's quick, easy, and full of flavor — a meal everyone will love!