Penne Pasta With Vegetables
A vibrant penne pasta dish featuring fresh vegetables, rich tomato and cream sauce, perfect for a comforting vegetarian meal with bold flavors and creamy textures.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 14 oz. can plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 12 oz. can crushed plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 3 cups zucchini, sliced ⓘ
- 1 bell pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups white wine ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons basil
- 1 teaspoon parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano ⓘ
- 3 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- dash of salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon olive oil ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon butter ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon flour ⓘ
- 6 oz. can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 cup light cream or half and half ⓘ
Instructions
- Sauté carrots, onions, basil, parsley, oregano, and garlic in olive oil for about 15 minutes.
- Add chopped tomatoes, zucchini, bell pepper, white wine, salt, and hot pepper flakes; simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add flour to make a roux.
- Cook the roux over very low heat, whisk in heated cream or half and half.
- Add tomato paste; whisk until the mixture is very smooth.
- Stir the creamy tomato sauce into the cooked vegetables and add Parmesan cheese.
- Toss the sauce with cooked penne pasta and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary alongside the basil and parsley. For a lighter option, substitute light cream with Greek yogurt, whisking it in at the end for a creamy texture. If you're short on time, pre-chopped vegetables can speed up the process without sacrificing freshness. This dish also pairs beautifully with Uncle Jim's Pasta Sauce for an extra layer of taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Penne Pasta with Vegetables hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. It pairs well with a light salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For a heartier option, consider serving alongside Italian recipes like Broccoli-Pasta Toss or a classic bruschetta.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or additional cream to restore creaminess. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it can make the pasta gummy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Penne Pasta With Vegetables contains roughly 1681 calories, with 38g protein, 140g carbohydrates, and 120g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (267% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (170% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2265mg per serving (98% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different vegetables in this recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe is versatile; feel free to substitute with seasonal vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, or spinach. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure all veggies are tender yet crisp.
Is it possible to make this dish vegan?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegan by replacing the butter with a plant-based alternative and omitting the cream or using coconut cream instead. Nutritional yeast can also be used instead of Parmesan for a cheesy flavor.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
To achieve a thicker sauce, you can allow it to simmer longer to reduce and concentrate flavors. Alternatively, you can add more flour to the roux or mix in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) to thicken it up quickly.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).