Weeknight Spaghetti
Weeknight Spaghetti is a quick, simple, and delicious dinner solution perfect for busy evenings. Combining pantry staples with fresh ingredients, this recipe delivers a comforting and flavorful meal in under 30 minutes. It is highly customizable with options to add proteins, vegetables, or spice, and can easily be adapted for dietary preferences, making it a family-friendly crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Can be gluten-free if gluten-free pasta is used
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti (whole wheat, gluten-free, or your preferred type)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or 1 tablespoon Italian herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary as alternatives)
Toppings
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (or vegan cheese alternative)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 8-10 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Season and Enhance: Add salt, pepper, and your choice of fresh herbs to the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet with the sauce, mixing thoroughly to coat every strand. Plate the pasta and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for that irresistible finishing touch.
Notes
- Use quality pasta for better texture and taste.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushiness.
- Minced fresh garlic added early maximizes aroma and flavor.
- Simmer tomatoes slowly to develop deeper, sweeter sauce flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 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
Keywords: weeknight spaghetti, quick spaghetti recipe, easy pasta dinner, family dinner, simple spaghetti sauce, weeknight meal, Italian pasta dish
Find it online: https://eazyum.com/weeknight-spaghetti/