Description
Weeknight Spaghetti is a quick, easy, and versatile pasta dish perfect for busy evenings. Made with simple pantry staples like spaghetti, garlic, canned tomatoes, and herbs, it delivers comforting, flavorful meals in under 30 minutes. Customize it with proteins, veggies, or a creamy twist for a satisfying dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti pasta (regular or whole wheat)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped or 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Variations
- 1/2 lb cooked ground beef, turkey, or plant-based crumbles
- 1 cup fresh spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms, chopped
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes or 1 diced jalapeño
- 2 tbsp heavy cream or 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- Gluten-free spaghetti as a substitute for regular pasta
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water, and set the pasta aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes with their juice. Stir in fresh basil or dried Italian herbs, and season with salt and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently, stirring occasionally, to develop rich flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen it and create a silky finish.
- Finish with Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Toss once more to blend the cheese throughout the dish.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to help the sauce bind smoothly to the noodles.
- Use fresh garlic for a brighter, more aromatic flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta; it should be firm to the bite (al dente).
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid burning and to deepen the flavor gradually.
- Fresh herbs like basil or oregano provide the best aromatic impact.
- After draining, toss pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Fifty-six g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
Keywords: weeknight spaghetti, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, simple spaghetti, family meal, comfort food, Italian pasta, quick weeknight dinner
