Manic Mom Diaries Greek Night Skillet Penne

A hearty one-pan pasta with great Greek flavors 🇬🇷

🍅 Tomato + Mediterranean Goodness…
● 1 can (10 oz) fire-roasted Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies
● 1 cup tomato sauce (or 8 oz can)
● 2 tablespoon tomato paste
● ¼ cup capers, drained (or a small jar – I don’t always measure, I tend to dump them in. 😜)

Optional 2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato pesto (or ½ cup fresh chopped sun-dried tomatoes) 

🌿 Seasoning…
● 2 teaspoons dried oregano
● 1 tablespoon cinnamon ✨ yes, a whole tablespoon.
● 2 tablespoons basil. (plus more for serving if desired FRESH IS BEST but not necessary)
● 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste 
● 1 teaspoon black pepper
● ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
● 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, to start

🥣 Liquid…
● 4 cups of beef broth
Feel free to make your own with beef bullion and water, I do.

🧀 Garnish & Finish Each Plate…
● Crumbled feta cheese
~ Not a feta fan? I substitute for individual Feta Protesters with Asiago & Gouda.
● Fresh green onion for topping
● Extra fresh basil
● Extra lemon wedges,
~ because it just tastes refreshing and the kids love to squeeze them. 🍋😂

💛 ~~~~~ 🍋 🍝 ~ 🇬🇷 ~ 🍝 🍋 ~~~~~ 💛

🍳 Directions:

1. Build the flavor base
Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add the whole diced yellow onion,
the ground chuck and mild Italian sausage.

Break the meat apart as it cooks and brown thoroughly.
Once browned, drain excess grease and set aside.

2. Add the minced garlic
cook for another 30–60 seconds.
Then, return the meat to the pan

3. Season the meat
Add:
• oregano • cinnamon • basil • salt • black pepper • red pepper flakes optional 

Stir really well.

And don’t be scared of the cinnamon. The 1 tablespoon is intentional. It is what gives this dish that warm, slightly unexpected Greek/Mediterranean character. 

4. Bring in the Tomato + Mediterranean Goodness
Add:
• fire-roasted Rotel • diced Roma tomatoes • tomato sauce • tomato paste • sun-dried tomatoes optional • And the capers

Stir everything together.

Let it simmer for about 5 minutes so those flavors can start getting acquainted.

5. The pasta
Add the 4 cups of beef broth. 
Pour in the entire 1-pound box of uncooked penne.

Stir thoroughly and make sure the pasta is mostly, if not completely submerged.

Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

6. Adding The Vegetables

If using asparagus or fresh green beans:
Add them approximately 5 minutes after reducing the heat. This allows them to cook without turning into green mush.

If using canned green beans:
Add them right before removing the skillet from the heat, just long enough to warm them through.

7. Cover & Cook
Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 15–20 minutes,
stirring occasionally.

You want the pasta tender and the sauce thickened, but not dry. 
We prefer a little extra sauce and noodles that aren’t soggy.

8. The lemon moment 🍋

Remove the skillet from the heat.

Add fresh lemon juice, to taste. Don’t be shy.

Start with 2 tablespoons, stir, taste, and add more fresh lemon juice until the brightness is where you want it. 
Or simply add the lemon individually to each plate and serve with a small lemon wedge.

9. Garnish & Finish It
Spoon into bowls and finish with:

Feta + fresh green onion + another squeeze of lemon + fresh basil & a little more cinnamon if desired 

 A little extra feta never hurt anybody, unless you hate it. 😂
And again if that’s the case you can substitute Asiago & Gouda

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🌿 Why I like this take on Greek Night 🌿

The ground chuck + mild Italian sausage gives this dish a substantial, savory backbone. The chuck brings the deep beefy flavor while the sausage adds seasoning and richness. 

The asparagus + green beans give the pasta some freshness and texture without turning it into a vegetable casserole.

Basil! I love basil! It has a great presence here and works beautifully with the tomato, sausage and lemon.

And then there’s the Cinnamon + oregano. That’s the little surprise. It gives the dish an unexpected Greek/Mediterranean warmth that makes people realize this isn’t just another skillet pasta. 

It’s a lot of personality for one skillet, but I promise it has the potential to become a new family favorite. 

🇬🇷🍋🍝 This is a Manic Mom Diaries Greek Night Skillet Penne. 🍝🍋🇬🇷

© 2026 Tiffany Davis | Manic Mom Diaries • All Rights Reserved.