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Easy No-Fail Pasta Dinner Recipe for Beginners

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A quick and approachable pasta dinner recipe perfect for beginners, featuring simple ingredients and straightforward steps for a delicious, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz dry pasta (penne or spaghetti preferred)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional protein: cooked chicken, shrimp, or canned beans

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add about 1 tbsp salt per 4 quarts of water. Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add crushed red pepper flakes if using.
  3. Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and saucy.
  4. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  5. Add drained pasta to the skillet with tomatoes. Stir in chopped basil and a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Mix well to coat evenly.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add more pasta water if sauce feels dry.
  7. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil leaves on top.

Notes

Salt pasta water well to season pasta. Avoid overcooking garlic and tomatoes to prevent bitterness. Reserve pasta water to help sauce bind to noodles. Toss pasta with olive oil before adding sauce if sticky. Use gluten-free pasta and dairy-free cheese for dietary adaptations.

Nutrition

Keywords: easy pasta recipe, beginner pasta dinner, quick pasta, no-fail pasta, simple pasta sauce, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/easy-no-fail-pasta-dinner-recipe-5-steps-for-beginners-to-master/