Easy Spaghetti Recipe: A Quick and Delicious Weeknight Meal
This easy spaghetti recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It's quick, simple, and requires minimal ingredients, yet delivers a delicious and satisfying meal the whole family will love. This recipe is optimized for search engines, using relevant keywords and semantic variations throughout the text.
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 1 pound spaghetti: Choose your favorite brand.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Adds flavor and helps prevent sticking.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Provides aromatic depth.
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes: The base of our sauce. You can use fire-roasted for a smokier flavor.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Adds a classic Italian touch.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil: Enhances the herby notes.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning.
- Optional additions: Red pepper flakes for heat, a pinch of sugar to balance acidity, fresh parsley for garnish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the Spaghetti:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Remember to reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining! This starchy water helps thicken the sauce.
2. Make the Simple Sauce:
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Burning the garlic will make the sauce bitter.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will become.
3. Combine and Serve:
Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or red pepper flakes, if desired.
Tips for the Perfect Easy Spaghetti:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the taste.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is essential for the best texture.
- Adjust seasonings to your liking: Add more or less of any ingredient to suit your taste.
- Get creative with additions: Try adding ground meat, vegetables, or different herbs and spices.
FAQs:
- Can I use different types of pasta? Absolutely! This recipe works well with other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or even linguine.
- Can I make this ahead of time? The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before adding the pasta.
- What kind of cheese goes well with this? Parmesan cheese is a classic pairing, but you can also try Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
This easy spaghetti recipe is a delicious and versatile meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Enjoy!
