How to Make Homemade Penne with Simple Ingredients and Big Flavour

Ever wondered how to make homemade penne that’s full of flavour? It’s easier than you think! With simple ingredients, you can create fresh pasta perfect for any dish, from creamy sauces to hearty bakes.

Making penne pasta at home gives you complete control over the dough, texture, and taste. Plus, it’s simpler than you might think; we have compiled the best recipes for you.

Ready to cook like an Italian chef? Read more to discover step-by-step tips and recipes for cooking homemade penne like a pro.

Homemade Penne Pasta

Our simple homemade pasta dough recipe is available for you who don't fancy store-bought pasta. It’s an excellent base for any penne pasta recipe, from creamy sauces to hearty bakes. Give it a try today!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour or 00 flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Place flour on a clean surface, make a well in the centre and add eggs, olive oil, and salt.
2. Mix until a pasta dough forms, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Wrap it and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. Roll out thin sheets, cut small rectangles, and roll each piece into a tube shape.
4. Boil in salted water for 2–3 minutes. Drain and serve with your favourite sauce.

Penne Napoli

This simple, easy-to-make Italian dish consists of penne pasta and a rich tomato-based sauce. And yes, we’ve got the recipe ready for you!

Ingredients:

• 300g penne
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 carrot (optional), grated
• 1 tsp dried herbs (like oregano or basil)
• Fresh basil, chopped
• Shaved parmesan for serving

Instructions:

1. Boil salted water in a medium pot to cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan.
3. Add onion, garlic, carrot (if using) and sauté until soft and fragrant.
4. Pour one can of crushed tomatoes, then stir in the dried herbs. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Toss in the penne pasta and stir until coated with the sauce.
6. Top with fresh basil and a sprinkle of shaved parmesan before serving.

Penne Traditional Bolognese

Meat lovers assemble! Penne traditional bolognese is the perfect dinner menu. It features a rich, meaty tomato sauce for extra texture and flavour. And yes, we’ve got the recipes so that you can make them at home!

Ingredients:

• 300g penne
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot (optional), diced
• 2 celery sticks, diced
• 500g ground beef mince
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 tsp dried herbs (oregano or basil)
• ½ cup thickened cream
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil

Instructions:

1. Cook your pasta in salted water until it reaches al dente level. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion, garlic, carrot, and celery until soft.
3. Add ground beef mince and cook until browned.
4. Season with black pepper, dried herbs, and salt.
5. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree. Simmer for 20–30 minutes until thickened.
6. Pour in thickened cream and stir to combine.
7. Toss in the penne pasta and mix well.
8. Top your pasta with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil to serve.

Penne Fresh Seafood

Need a meal loaded with protein from fresh seafood delight? Try penne fresh seafood with shrimp and crab meat in a creamy tomato sauce. Follow our recipe here:

Ingredients:

• 300g penne
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 200g shrimp, peeled
• 150g crab meat
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Shredded parmesan cheese and parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook your pasta in salted water until it reaches al dente level. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion, garlic, and chilli flakes until fragrant.
3. Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Stir in shrimp and crab meat, cooking until seafood is tender.
5. Pour in heavy cream and mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Toss in the penne pasta and stir to coat evenly.
7. Top with shredded parmesan cheese and parsley, then serve.

Penne Norma

Penne Norma is a classic Sicilian dish that combines penne pasta with a super rich tomato sauce, crispy fried eggplant, and creamy ricotta cheese. Read our recipe and try it at home!

Ingredients:

• 300g Penne Rigate
• 1 tsp coarse salt (plus more for boiling pasta)
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 large eggplant, diced
• 500g plum tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook Penne Rigate pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes until fragrant.
3. Add eggplant and cook until golden and tender.
4. Stir in plum tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
5. Toss in your pasta and stir to coat.
6. Garnish with ricotta cheese and fresh basil leaves before serving.

Penne Carbonara

This is a tasty twist on the classic Italian pasta dish, bringing a fun, hearty texture that holds the creamy sauce perfectly. Follow our recipe and give it a try!

Ingredients:

• 300g penne
• 150g beef bacon, diced
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup double cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook your pasta in salted boiling water until it reaches al dente level. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan, then fry your beef bacon until golden and crispy.
3. In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, double cream, parmesan, and black pepper until smooth.
4. Add your cooked pasta to the pan with beef bacon and remove from heat.
5. Stir in the sauce quickly, letting the heat from the pasta create a creamy coating without scrambling the eggs.
6. Finish with parsley and extra parmesan on top.

Penne Garlic Prawns

It is a light and flavour-packed pasta dish. Juicy prawns are cooked with simple ingredients, then tossed in penne pasta and seasoned with more herbs. Follow our quick, simple recipe and try it at home!

Ingredients:

• 300g penne
• 200g prawns, peeled and deveined
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/4 tsp chilli flakes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook penne pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion, garlic, and chilli flakes until fragrant.
3. Add prawns, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the prawns turn pink and tender.
4. Toss in the penne pasta and stir until evenly coated.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Penne Mushroom Truffle

Mushrooms and luxurious truffle oil are always the right pair. The truffle adds a gourmet touch to this simple dish. Want a bite? Follow our recipe below!

Ingredients:

• 400 grams penne
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parrano truffle cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon truffle oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook your pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Melt the unsalted butter in a skillet with medium heat, then add the olive oil.
3. Sauté the onion and garlic until they're fragrant and translucent.
4. Add the baby bella mushrooms and kosher salt and cook until the mushrooms are tender and golden brown.
5. Pour in the heavy cream to the mix and bring to a simmer.
6. Stir in the grated Parrano truffle cheese until it's melted and smooth.
7. Toss the cooked penne in the skillet, ensuring it's well-coated with the creamy sauce.
8. Drizzle your pasta with truffle oil and season with salt and pepper.

Penne Pulled Duck Ragu

Prefer a rich and comforting dish packed with protein? Penne pulled duck ragu is perfect for special occasions or cozy nights in—it’s a hearty, satisfying meal. Check out our recipe!

Ingredients:

• 300g penne
• 2 duck legs
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery sticks, diced
• 2 cups tomato napolitana sauce
• 1 sprig rosemary
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Parmesan, grated

Instructions:

1. Season duck legs with salt and black pepper, then sear until golden.
2. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in the same pan until softened.
3. Add rosemary and napolitana sauce.
4. Put the duck legs back into the pan, cover, and simmer for 1.5 or 2 hours until tender.
5. Shred the duck meat and stir it back into the sauce.
6. Toss the cooked penne pasta into the sauce and mix well.
7. Finish with Parmesan on top and serve warm.

Penne Wild Boar Ragu

Another choice for penne ragu is this wild boar ragu. The wild boar ragu is marinated with rosemary and tomatoes, giving it a rich, earthy taste that pairs beautifully with penne pasta. Here's a recipe for you:

Ingredients:

• 300g penne
• 500g marinated wild boar ragu
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Shaved parmesan for topping

Instructions:

1. Cook your penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat the wild boar ragu in a pan with rosemary and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 2 to 3 hours until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens.
3. Season with black pepper as well as salt.
4. Add the pasta to the ragu mix and stir to coat evenly.
5. Top with shaved parmesan and serve hot.

‍

Now that you know how to make homemade penne, which recipe will you try first? Your options range from traditional bolognese to light and zesty garlic prawns. Our quick recipes make bringing authentic Italian flavours to your kitchen easy.

Want to skip the cooking and savour expertly crafted Italian dishes instead? Book a table a Piccolino Woodfired Pizza & Homemade Pasta and enjoy the best of Italy today!

‍