I cannot take credit for this recipe.
Nope this is what my family calls a Mrs. Mooney recipe. And no one will ever be able to make it as good as she does. She just has the touch. Something no one else can replicate, though we all try. Mrs. Mooney is family friend, she is an amazing cook. She would probably prefer I call her by her name, Laura, but even though I am old enough to call her by her first name I do not think I will ever be able to not call her Mrs. Mooney. That is just who she is to me.
Seriously, you guys she is amazing cook and this recipe is one of her best dishes. EVERYONE loves it. You are definitely some lucky people to be getting your hands on this recipe. It may sound simple, have simple ingredients and be fairly easy, but it is one serious crowd pleaser! Sometimes simple is best!
There are a few very important details to the penne. They are what make it different from any other boring penne recipe you have. First you need lots of olive oil, it will seem like you have used too much, but I promise you have not. Mrs. Mooney says you want equal parts olive and marinara sauce. Second, garlic. Lots and lots of garlic. It makes the sauce. Third, the marinara sauce. It has to be Newman’s Own Marinara sauce, no exceptions, no substitutions. Do not try to use any other marinara sauce, trust me I have tried. Newman’s is the best and they give all their profits to charity! And they just came out with an organic marinara. So, USE Newman’s. Finally, spicy italian sausage. This is optional, but honestly it is so much better when the sausage has simmered all day in the sauce. It just has SO much flavor.
We like to serve the Penne with grilled italian chicken. Just a little olive oil, basil, smoked paprika, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper. Oh and of course some bread to soke up that heavenly sauce.
This is a great meal to serve around Christmas time. It feeds a crowd, it super easy and can be prepared ahead of time. Plus, it is beautiful all plated up with a sprinkle of fresh grated parmesan cheese. Um and hello it is red and if you add some fresh chopped parsley it will be red and green!
Penne Pasta that no one will be able to resist.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Jars Newman's Own Marinara
- 10-12 large cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dried Basil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dried Oregano
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dried Parsley
- 1-2 teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Pinch of Salt
- Pinch of Pepper
- 1 pound Spicy Italian Suasage links or ground (optional)
- 2 pounds Penne Pasta
- Grilled Italian Chicken (optional)
- Grated Parmesan Cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Mince your garlic, grate on a fine microplan or grind in a food processor. The garlic needs to be very small, almost paste like. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large pot. Add the garlic and cook for 5-10 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Watch the garlic carefully, if it burns you have to start over.
- Add the marinara sauce, basil, oregano, parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. The sauce will seem very oilily, this is what you want.
- If using suasage links cut each link into 1/2 inch pieces, if you ground sausage roll the meat into tiny 1/2 inch balls.
- Drop the suasage into the sauce and simmer for at least 3 hours, stirring occationally. The longer this cooks the better.
- When ready to eat boil penne according to package directions.
- To Serve: plate the penne and ladle on the sauce, top with grilled chicken if desired.
Notes
*This recipe can be easily halved
Ok, so go buy some Newman’s. Like now!
Related Posts
Test comment, please reply
Hope this goes to your email!
Let’s try this again, hope this one goes to your email!
So far not so good.
One more time
I love Italian food and one more recipe only makes it better. It seems quick to make. That’s a plus. Thank you for sharing.
We may have met by chance…but we become friends by choice.
http://simpleesue.com/try-one-new-recipe-a-week-thanksgiving-feast-day-2pa-dutch-potato-filling
A very simple recipe with BIG flavor!
Oh My~ We are a pasta family and I can’t wait to try this!
TracyAnn from http://www.crochethappy.com and http://asktracyann.crochethappy.com
Pasta is awesome and this pasta is the best!
Thanks for sharing on Thursdays Treasures. Love the sausage and chicken
This looks amazing. Definitely making. Love your recipes!!
Thank you! I think you will be very happy with this one, everyone loves it!
It’s Mrs. Mooney and I am so honored that you posted this infamous recipe! It is now becoming well known with the youngest Mooney son and his friends since I have been making it for them every time they all come to the cabin. Kind-of a tradition now and it also gives me a chance to sit down with a group of teenagers who normally would keep their distance! It’s easy and I make sure there are leftovers to go along with eggs in morning or crusty sour dough toast. Thanks for spreading the love…
You just made me very hungry! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
Wish I could give you a big plate full!
Your sauce looks amazingly delicious! Looking at the ingredients, I just love what I read there
It really is the best sauce!
WOW that is a recipe! Thanks for sharing at FFF>
It really is everyones favorite!
Genuinely programming is nothing but it¨ªs a logic, if you get control on it then you are the professional else not anything.
This sounds fabulous — thanks for the tip on Newman Marina. I will have to give it a try and Mrs Mooney’s special touches. Thanks for sharing on Busy Monday!
Hi, I’m making this delicious looking Penne and I was wondering if it’s supposed to stay this oily after the 3 hrs of simmering?
Yes! The oil is what makes this dish. Just mix it a best as you can with sauce and if it still seems too oily you can scoop a fe spoonfuls of oil out, but either way it is going to be good! Hope you love it!
We just finished dinner and it was fantastic… we all loved it. As a mom of 4, I have to say that I am very impressed with your website as well as all of your delicious looking recipes. We will definitely be trying many more of them.You have an amazing talent as a young chef as well as a blogger. You’re parents must be very proud of you