42 Perfect Penne Pasta Recipes

I made this for our pastor one night. He loved it so much we nicknamed it “Jason’s Pasta.” It’s a sneaky way to get our kids to eat more veggies. —Suzie Foutty Mansfield, Ohio

This hearty entree is low in fat, but full of flavor. I love that you can cook the dried pasta right in the chili. One less pot to wash! This also reheats in the microwave perfectly. —Dawn Forsberg, Saint Joseph, Missouri

This must-try casserole tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

Pasta loaded with artichokes and creamy cheese is everything a Sunday dinner should be: rich, tasty and memorable. Add cooked chicken, shrimp or crab if you like. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

I created this creamy pasta dish when I needed to use up some marinara. Red pepper flakes give it a little heat, which my family loves. It’s super versatile, so try it with chicken or stir in some fresh basil, too. —Lorri Stout, Gaithersburg, Maryland

The name of this Italian-inspired dish means “baked pasta with beans.” But my busy family translates it as “super satisfying dinner.” —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois

This recipe freezes beautifully and is a wonderful way to use up leftover holiday turkey and vegetables.—Veronica McCann, Columbus, Ohio

I make this hearty casserole for the men who help us out during harvest time. Every year they say it’s the best, hands down. Throw in any pizza toppings your family likes—Canadian bacon, black olives and green peppers are some of our picks. —Brook Bothun, Canby, Minnesota

I had ground beef and veggies on hand so I came up with this pizza-flavored casserole. I never expected my family to love it so much. It’s a good way to sneak in some extra veggies for the kids. —Jennifer Wise, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

This kicked-up pasta dish is a family favorite and my most requested recipe. It’s easy to adapt, too. Swap in shrimp for the chicken, add your favorite veggies, adjust the spice level to your family’s taste—you can’t go wrong! —Dolly Kragel, Smithland, Iowa

When I first made this dish, my 2-year-old liked it so much that he wanted it for every meal! You can use most any pasta that will hold the sauce. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

I love to prepare gluten-free and dairy-free dishes, and this recipe meets the criteria when you use gluten-free pasta. This dish shows you can use delicious, healthy products to create a crowd-pleasing meal. It’s also soy-free, nut-free and vegetarian. —Amie Valpone, New York, New York

This turkey chili easily turns into a vegetarian dish by leaving out the meat or replacing it with soy crumbles. A topping of goat cheese makes this full-flavored chili stand out from others. —Patricia Burk, North Canton, Ohio

I love this recipe because it makes a lot—two hearty casseroles. Every time I fix it, I add something different, such as extra garlic, to give it a little extra flavor. —Debra Butcher, Decatur, Indiana

I reworked this recipe from an original that called for vodka and heavy whipping cream. My friends and family had a hard time believing a sauce this rich, flavorful and creamy could be light. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California

I’ve brought this hot dish to potlucks and it received rave reviews. There’s never a crumb left. Best of all, it’s a simple, healthy and hearty supper made with easy to find ingredients. —Anne Taglienti of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

I’m a busy nurse, so fast meals are a must. This pasta is a tasty change of pace from potato-ham casseroles. —Kathy Stephan, West Seneca, New York

My sausage pasta is a must-try dish. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California

Some people call it dinner hour, but many of us call it rush hour. Slow down the pace with this super-quick mouthwatering meal. The only thing you’ll have left over is time to share with your family at the table. —Brigitte Schaller, Flemington, Missouri

I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota

I love trying new recipes, and this one for Italian pasta salad tops all other varieties I’ve tried. With beans, cheese, sausage and vegetables, it’s a hearty complement to any meal. —Bernadette Nelson, Arcadia, California

Frankly, this is just…yum. I captured my favorite summery pasta in a jar. So delicious. So simple. Tip it all into a bowl and enjoy!—Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California

Baked pasta is a favorite potluck dish, so I altered some of the ingredients in my traditional recipe to make it lower in calories. Try it with ground beef, too! —Andrea Bolden, Unionville, Tennessee

Cheeseburgers are delicious in any form, but I’m partial to this creamy pasta dish that seriously tastes just like the real thing. It’s weeknight comfort in a bowl. —Tracy Avis, Peterborough, Ontario

As a kid I loved to the hot ham and Swiss sandwiches from a local fast-food restaurant. With its melty, gooey goodness, this bake makes me think of them. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa

Buffalo chicken is a favorite in our household. Combine it with pasta and you have the ultimate comfort food. If you prefer less spicy food, the addition of sour cream, ranch dressing and mozzarella provides a creamy texture and cooler flavor that nicely balances the spice in this buffalo chicken pasta dish. —Kathy White, Henderson, Nevada

I wanted a light sauce for pasta, so I cooked tomatoes with garlic, wine and olive oil. It’s a blockbuster combo for seafood, too. —Geralyn Sipos, Blandon, Pennsylvania

Facebook fans of my blog, Chef in Training, inspired me to make this creamy pasta casserole out of ingredients I had on hand. Success! I took the dish for another flavorful spin and added a bit of smoky bacon and toasted bread crumbs. —Nikki Barton, Providence, Utah

Flavor-packed sausage and sun-dried tomatoes are sure to liven up any simple pasta dish. I have a feeling that once you’ve tried it, it’ll become a family favorite!—Dawn Singleton, Eighty Four, Pennsylvania

My mother used to work so hard in the kitchen to make this classic Greek dish, and the results were always well worth her effort. My recipe for pastitsio is easier, a bit lighter and every bit as great as Mom’s.—Nikki Tsangaris, Westfield, Indiana

I learned how to make this dish from friends in Genoa, Italy, where they’re known for creating tasty combinations of veggies, pasta and beans. You can sub feta cheese to give this a Greek twist. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

This easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I have new friends over for dinner. Years later, they’ve asked me to make it again. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas

This is an easy, hearty and delicious meal for a chilly evening! Its cheesy goodness will have you going for seconds. Serve with salad and garlic bread. —Sue Aschemeier, Defiance, Ohio

This beautiful dish will wow guests. It’s not just the colors; they’ll really be amazed by the taste. Taste of Home Test Kitchen

“I roast the veggies while the pasta cooks, making this a quick dish.” This meal-in-one blends rustic comfort with fresh flavors. Trisha Kruse – Eagle, Idaho

I’m the proud mother of wonderful and active children. Simple, delicious and quick meals like this BBQ pork skillet are perfect for us to enjoy together after school activities, especially if I have leftover pulled pork. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

This is my family’s favorite casserole recipe. I make it every week or two and we never tire of it. I like that I can clean my kitchen and then relax while it bakes. It won’t disappoint! —Carmen Vanosch, Vernon, British Columbia

If you want your kids to happily eat their eggplant, serve it in this lovely layered casserole. Our whole family enjoys it. Always a popular potluck item, it’s a great company dish, as well. —Carol Mieske, Red Bluff, California

All it takes is four ingredients and 20 minutes to have this hearty dish ready for the table. Chicken, snap peas and pasta star in this dish, and the garlicky sauce ties it all together nicely. —Anne Nock, Avon Lake, Ohio

Sun-dried tomatoes and turkey pepperoni lend fantastic flavor to this creamy, hearty pasta dish. It’s a great change of pace from everyday spaghetti. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

This easy stir-fry combines the pasta with green pepper, mushrooms and tomatoes in an Italian-style sauce. I made up this recipe one evening, and it was a big hit with my family. —Janeen Longfellow, Wolcottville, Indiana

This rich, creamy pasta dish is a snap to throw together for a weeknight meal but special enough for company. You can substitute another cheese for the Gorgonzola if you like. —George Schroeder, Port Murray, New Jersey