Go Back
+ servings
Close-up of baked pasta recipes topped with melted cheese and parsley in a white dish.

Simple Pasta Recipe

This recipe provides instructions for making a straightforward pasta dish. It is suitable for a quick meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 ounces Spaghetti or linguine
Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 14.5 ounces Diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste Seasoning

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes, if using. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to your preference. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, reheat the sauce and toss it with freshly cooked pasta. For make-ahead convenience, you can also cook the pasta, rinse it with cold water to stop cooking, and store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days before combining it with the reheated sauce.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!