quick & easy pasta dinner

5 Pinches
Deep In The Heart of, TX
Updated on Jul 7, 2025

This recipe uses items generally on hand, and you can feel free to add additional ingredients if you wish. All you need is a salad, and dinner will be ready in minutes. This recipe is great when you have an abundance of cherry tomatoes on hand.

prep time 15 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Stove Top
yield 6 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (or more as needed)
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or you can sub crumbled feta as well)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • additional olive oil for topping
  • salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make quick & easy pasta dinner

  • Step 1
    Cook pasta according to package instructions to an al dente stage. Drain well.
  • Step 2
    In a skillet, heat olive oil and add garlic, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Reduce heat and add the halved cherry tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, along with salt and pepper.
  • Step 3
    Cook until tomatoes have softened and give off their juice - approx. 3 minutes.
  • Step 4
    Toss the penne in with the tomatoes along with the olives, parsley, basil, and 1/4 cup Parmesan - toss to combine.
  • Step 5
    Once done, transfer pasta to a wide-rimmed pasta serving bowl and sprinkle with additional Parmesan, black pepper, and additional fresh basil/parsley and olive oil if desired.

Discover More

Category: Pasta
Ingredient: Pasta
Culture: American
Method: Stove Top

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