10 Family-Friendly Penne Pasta Recipes

Make one of these penne pasta recipes and enjoy a satisfying meal any night of the week.

If you love how penne pasta traps the sauce and flavors in each bite, you’ll love the variety in the recipes below.

Penne Pasta Recipes for the Whole Family

If penne pasta is your go-to pasta, both by the way it traps the flavors inside and its friendly bite-sized shape, try one of these recipes the whole family will enjoy:

Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

5 from 52 votes

Make this Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta in just 20 minutes, for an easy family meal!

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Quick Salmon Pesto Pasta

5 from 43 votes

This full-flavor pesto penne pasta is paired with salmon and tomatoes and will be a dinnertime winner.

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Pesto Chicken Pasta

5 from 55 votes

Fast & healthy Pesto Chicken Penne Pasta is a restaurant-worthy meal, made at home!

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large plate of penne alfredo with salmon

Salmon Alfredo with Penne Pasta

5 from 7 votes

A deliciously creamy penne alfredo with salmon that's as delicious as it sounds.

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Thai Pasta Salad with Peanut Dressing

5 from 65 votes

This fresh Thai chicken salad with Penne pasta is made with fresh veggies, and crushed peanuts and tossed in homemade Peanut Dressing.

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Easy Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

5 from 86 votes

A simple comfort food recipe that comes together in one skillet.

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top view of pasta penne with Alfredo sauce

Alfredo with Penne Pasta

5 from 4 votes

This creamy Alfredo with pasta penne is a delicious family dinner you can assemble in 20 minutes! Let me show you how!

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hand pulling a spoonful of chicken cordon bleu casserole from pan

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

5 from 43 votes

This baked penne pasta recipe is always a major crowd pleaser!

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Easy Lemon Chicken Asparagus Pasta in a Skillet

4.99 from 76 votes

This creamy chicken asparagus penne pasta recipe makes a terrific meal you can whip up in half an hour.

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Easy Pumpkin Pasta

4.97 from 27 votes

A luxurious and savory pumpkin pasta made with grated Parmesan, pumpkin puree, a touch of cream and poured over penne.

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Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

5 from 37 votes

Creamy, sun-dried tomato chicken pasta made in one skillet for a delicious, quick and EASY weeknight dinner.

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closeup of white bowl filled with red chicken and pasta soup

Slow Cooker Parmesan Chicken Soup

5 from 36 votes

Grab your penne pasta and make this delicious slow cooker soup, with classic Parmesan chicken flavor!

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How to Cook the Perfect Penne

To cook penne pasta, you’ll first want to bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add a teaspoon of salt to season the water. Then, add the pasta to the water and stir gently. Bring the water back to a boil, reduce the heat so the water doesn’t roll over the pot, and cook for 11 to 12 minutes. Once the pasta is ready, drain the water out with a colander. Remember to reserve pasta water first if the recipe calls for it.

by Laura Fuentes

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