Good Pasta
This simple pasta recipe is quick, budget-friendly, and comforting — the kind of meal that rescues weeknights and always brings everyone to the table happy.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Large Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
Basic Pantry Staples
- 1 lb dried pasta spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tsp salt plus more for boiling water
Flavor Boosters
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes canned
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tsp dried oregano or basil
- black pepper freshly ground, to taste
Finishing
- grated parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a generous handful of salt — the water should taste like the sea.
- Add the dried pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce clings to the pasta.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Top with grated parmesan and serve hot.
Notes
For extra protein, add browned ground beef, sausage, or shredded chicken. For a creamy version, finish with a splash of heavy cream. To make it kid-friendly, skip the pepper flakes and let kids sprinkle extra parmesan on top.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 15gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 720mgPotassium: 580mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 450IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 3.5mg
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