Pasta Recipe Easy

This recipe is made for days when you want something warm, filling, and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. Pasta is loved because it’s simple, flexible, and always feels like a safe choice for family meals or busy evenings. This pasta recipe easy enough for beginners comes together with everyday ingredients and a calm, no-stress process. It works well on cold nights, after long days, or anytime cooking needs to feel manageable. I usually get the water boiling, prep a quick sauce, and let everything come together naturally. The result is a cozy bowl of pasta that feels homemade, familiar, and worth saving for later.

photo of a bowl of cooked pasta coated in a simple 1

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This recipe is designed to make life easier while still tasting comforting and satisfying. The flavors are simple but familiar, which makes it crowd-pleasing for both adults and kids. It’s very weeknight-friendly because it cooks quickly and doesn’t need special tools or planning. The ingredients are budget-friendly and easy to swap based on what’s already in your kitchen. Leftovers keep well, making it freezer-friendly and useful for meal prep. This easy pasta recipe fits into real routines, whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family. It’s cozy, flexible, and the kind of meal Pinterest users love saving because it always feels doable later.

photo of a bowl of cooked pasta coated in a simple

Ingredients

Tip: Short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli hold sauce well and cook evenly.

Dry pasta – 12 ounces
Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
Onion, finely chopped – 1 medium
Garlic cloves, minced – 3
Crushed tomatoes – 1½ cups
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
Dried oregano – 1 teaspoon
Red chili flakes – ¼ teaspoon
Grated cheese – ½ cup
Fresh basil or parsley – 2 tablespoons

photo of the raw ingredients for a simple pasta di

Instructions

Step 1: Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender but still firm. While it cooks, chop the onion and garlic so everything is ready when needed.

Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and lightly golden. The kitchen should smell warm and sweet before adding the garlic.

Step 3: Combining Ingredients
Stir in garlic and crushed tomatoes. Add salt, pepper, oregano, and chili flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently until it looks slightly thick and glossy, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Finishing & Final Simmer
Drain the pasta and add it directly to the sauce. Toss gently until coated. Let it simmer briefly so the pasta absorbs flavor, then turn off the heat and sprinkle with cheese and herbs.

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Days

This recipe saves time because the pasta and sauce cook at the same time. There’s no long prep or waiting involved. It’s easy to double, store, and reheat, which makes it great for planned leftovers. Pinterest cooks love recipes like this because they’re simple now and still easy later.

Tips & Tricks

Salt the pasta water well: Unsalted water can make the whole dish taste flat. The pasta absorbs seasoning as it cooks, so properly salted water helps build flavor from the very first step.
Don’t overcook the pasta: Soft, mushy pasta can ruin the texture. Cook it just until tender so it holds its shape and mixes smoothly with the sauce without falling apart.
Simmer the sauce gently: High heat can cause splashing and uneven cooking. A calm simmer lets the flavors blend and keeps the sauce smooth and balanced.
Save a little pasta water: Adding a splash to the sauce helps loosen it and coat the pasta evenly without watering down the flavor.

Variations

Meaty Version
Add cooked ground chicken or beef to the sauce after the onions soften. Let it brown fully before adding tomatoes. This makes the dish more filling while keeping the same easy cooking process.

Vegetarian Option
Stir in mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach during the sauce step. They soften quickly and add texture without extra effort, making the meal hearty and comforting without meat.

Ingredient Swap
Use canned tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes if needed. Adjust seasoning slightly since sauces vary in salt. This keeps the recipe flexible and pantry-friendly.

Flavor or Herb Boost
Add a pinch of dried basil or a splash of cream at the end. These small changes can shift the flavor gently without making the recipe complicated.

Serving Suggestions

Simple family bowls: Serve warm in wide bowls with extra cheese on top for an easy, cozy dinner everyone can enjoy.
With garlic bread: Pair with toasted bread for dipping into leftover sauce, making the meal feel more complete without extra cooking.
Side salad pairing: A light salad balances the richness and adds freshness, perfect for casual family meals.
Lunch leftovers: Pack leftovers in containers for an easy next-day lunch that reheats well and still tastes comforting.

Storage Instructions

Fridge storage: Store cooled pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Keeping it sealed helps prevent dryness and keeps flavors fresh.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a spoon of water or sauce to keep the pasta soft and evenly warmed.
Freezing: Freeze in portioned containers for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating slowly.
Make-ahead tips: You can prepare the sauce a day early and refrigerate it. Cook pasta fresh for best texture when serving.

Recipe Timing

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rest Time: Not applicable
Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Information

Each serving contains about 350–450 calories, depending on portion size and cheese used. Protein ranges from 10–15 grams per serving. The dish also provides carbohydrates for energy and small amounts of calcium from the cheese. Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients and portions.

FAQs

Yes, the sauce can be made ahead.

Overcooking the pasta.

Yes, tomato sauce works well.

Not enough sauce or liquid added.

Up to four days when stored properly.

Conclusion

This pasta recipe easy enough for everyday cooking is meant to fit real schedules and real kitchens. It’s flexible, forgiving, and easy to customize with what you already have. You can keep it simple, add protein, or mix in vegetables depending on the day. It works just as well for quiet dinners as it does for leftovers and quick lunches. Save it, reuse it, and make it your own over time. When cooking needs to feel comforting instead of complicated, this is the kind of recipe you’ll be glad to have on hand.