Description
Quick and easy Weeknight Spaghetti recipe perfect for busy evenings and family dinners. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it delivers a comforting, delicious pasta meal in under 30 minutes. Versatile and satisfying, it can be customized with proteins, veggies, or spices to suit any taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti and Pantry Staples
- 8 ounces good-quality dried spaghetti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil or 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until just al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, and set pasta aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet and stir to combine. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the drained spaghetti directly into the sauce along with a drizzle of olive oil. Mix thoroughly to coat each strand evenly, allowing flavors to meld.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the spaghetti and sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Optionally, top with fresh basil leaves or extra herbs for a burst of fresh flavor.
Notes
- Use reserved starchy pasta water to help the sauce adhere better to the noodles.
- Avoid overcooking pasta; slightly undercook to allow final cooking in the sauce.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley significantly brighten the dish.
- Season the sauce gradually to build layered flavors.
- Choose high-quality canned tomatoes and olive oil for the best taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg