Penne with a Purpose - A Delicious and Satisfying Red Sauce Recipe for All Diets

The recipe calls for a pound of penne pasta, which is cooked according to the package instructions and then coated in a flavorful red sauce made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic herbs. The sauce can be customized to your liking by using ground beef, a plant-based meat alternative, or diced vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers. The sauce is then finished off with halved cherry tomatoes and garnished with fresh basil. Serve the pasta hot with a side of sliced sourdough bread for a complete meal.

This revised version of a classic penne pasta with red sauce is a delicious and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed by vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (omit if using a vegan option)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (omit for a vegetarian option, or use a plant-based meat alternative or diced vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers)
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
   
   
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat (omit if using a vegan option). Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
   
   
3. If using ground beef, add it to the pot and cook until it is browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. If using a plant-based meat alternative or diced vegetables, add them to the pot and cook until they are tender.
   
   
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pot. Stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 5-10 minutes.
   
   
5. Add the cherry tomatoes to the pot and stir to combine. Let the sauce cook for an additional 5 minutes.
   
   
6. Add the cooked pasta to the pot and stir to coat it with the sauce.
   
   
7. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

To serve with a side of sliced sourdough bread, simply slice a loaf of sourdough bread and serve it alongside the pasta. You can also toast the bread slices if you prefer. 

This recipe yields about 6 servings of pasta. The serving size will depend on your appetite and whether you are serving the pasta as a main dish or as a side dish. If you are serving it as a main dish, you can expect to get about 6 servings. If you are serving it as a side dish, you may be able to stretch it to 8-10 servings. Keep in mind that these are rough estimates and the actual number of servings will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the servings and whether or not you are serving other dishes alongside the pasta.

Thank you for trying this revised version of a classic penne pasta with red sauce! We hope you enjoyed the flavorful and satisfying meal. If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat the pasta, simply place it in a pot over low heat and stir occasionally until it is heated through. You can also microwave the pasta in a microwave-safe dish, covered with a damp paper towel, until it is heated through. We hope you will try this recipe again in the future and perhaps even experiment with your own variations. Enjoy!