It’s true, when we’re trying out recipes and taking glamorous shots for the site or our print products, we often reach for fancier pasta shapes with more complicated Italian pasta names, like orecchiette, gigli, pappardelle, or cavatappi. But when we’re just cooking at home, we’re way more likely to fall back on the old standby—penne! It’s easy to find, its cylindrical shape and slight ridges means it goes well with any pasta sauce, and we think its pointed ends give it a touch of grown-up class (sorry, rigatoni). Check out our 33 penne pasta recipes for ideas—you’ll love it for its versatility too.
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Penne Rigate pairs nicely with chunky meat, chunky vegetable, cream, or oil based sauces. Also, these shapes are great for baking dishes. Originally of Naples and Capri.
Baked Penne Alla Vodka with Turkey
There is nothing quite as comforting as a baked pasta dish. The sides get a little crispy and the topping of melty cheese is to die for. Here we changed up the classic penne alla vodka by adding in ground turkey. The result is a creamy pasta that satisfies every carb craving possible with a little extra boost of protein.
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Think of this as a creamier baked ziti. Penne tossed with creamy Alfredo sauce, chicken, and (a lot) of mozzarella—need we say more?
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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
We knew noodles were the only thing missing from a Caesar salad! We like broccoli and tomatoes here, but use whatever additional veggies you like. Pre-grated Parmesan is okay if thats what youve got, but we definitely recommend shaving your own fresh if you can swing it—it sets this pasta salad above the rest.
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Cajun jambalaya is a wildly popular rice dish that originated in New Orleans and was inspired by flavors from around the world. This version swaps the rice for penne pasta, but keeps with traditional flavors like Cajun seasoning and andouille sausage. We love a creamy pasta dish, so we added cheese too. Its a little inauthentic, sure, but also delicious.
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10-Minute Penne Pasta With A Mystery Ingredient
FAQ
What is the difference between penne and penne rigate?
What is penne pasta most commonly used for?
What is the difference between penne and rigatoni?
What type of sauce is penne good for?
What is penne rigate?
The ridges on the pasta surface are what differentiate penne rigate from the standard penne pasta. This variant is quite popular as users prefer to purchase pasta that sticks better with the sauce. The ridges on this pasta make it easier for the sauce to stick, and you will have the best experience while using sauces with a chunkier texture.
What is penne rigate pasta?
In the standard penne pasta, you will find that the surface is completely smooth, and there are no ridges on it. While the penne rigate pasta includes multiple patterns on the surface that help users set aside the standard penne pasta from penne rigate. So, if you don’t know which pasta is penne rigate, just look at the surface of the pasta pieces.
What goes well with penne rigate?
Penne translates to the word “pen”, and gets its name from its shape – a short cylinder-shaped pasta that has angled edges. The shape was inspired by a quill. Penne complements virtually every sauce and are exceptional when paired with a chunky sauce. Penne Rigate pairs nicely with chunky meat, chunky vegetable, cream, or oil based sauces.
What is the difference between penne rigate and penne lisce?
Penne rigate, often just called “penne,” is a cylinder-shaped pasta characterized by its diagonally cut ends and ridges that run along its outer surface. Penne is said to resemble a quill, or pen, hence the name “penne.” Penne lisce is a smooth penne pasta variation with the same angled ends, but without the ridges.