Pretty Penne

Brighten your dinner table with the vibrant and flavorful "Pretty Penne," a delightful pasta dish packed with colorful vegetables and a creamy tomato-basil sauce. This easy-to-make recipe combines tender penne pasta with sautéed red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, creating a medley of textures and tastes in every bite. The sauce, made with crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and a touch of Parmesan, perfectly coats the pasta, while fresh basil adds a fragrant, herby finish. Ready in just 35 minutes and serving four, this wholesome, family-friendly dish is perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Whether you're looking for a satisfying vegetarian dinner or a new way to enjoy pasta night, Pretty Penne is sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium zucchini
• 200 grams cherry tomatoes
• 150 milliliters heavy cream
• 400 grams crushed tomatoes
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Dice the red and yellow bell peppers, slice the zucchini into half-moons, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced bell peppers and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still colorful.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 3 minutes. Then add the heavy cream and mix well to create a creamy sauce.

Step 6

Add the cherry tomatoes into the sauce and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they soften. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Step 7

Toss the cooked penne pasta into the skillet and mix until the pasta is fully coated with the sauce.

Step 8

Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and mix gently.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves.

Step 10

Serve hot and enjoy your Pretty Penne!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2245.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3187.0

Total Fat 107.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 43.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 194.5mg	0%
Sodium 4651.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 447.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.9g	0%
Total Sugars 34.7g
Protein 105.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1245.5mg	0%
Iron 39.3mg	0%
Potassium 5033.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.4%

Protein: 13.3%

Carbs: 56.4%