Imagine a mouth-watering pasta dish that comes together in just 40 minutes, with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Ken's One Dish Pasta Sauce is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen, transforming simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. Whether you're a busy professional, a cooking novice, or a seasoned home chef, this recipe promises to become your new go-to comfort food that's both incredibly easy and supremely satisfying.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta of choice
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and ensure you have a large skillet or pasta pot, colander, and cooking utensils ready.
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pasta is cooking, pour marinara sauce into a large skillet and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Drain the cooked pasta in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water in case you need to adjust sauce consistency.
- Transfer drained pasta directly into the skillet with marinara sauce, tossing gently to coat each pasta strand evenly.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the pasta, mixing thoroughly to distribute seasonings.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and create a creamy texture.
- If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Transfer pasta to serving plates or a large serving dish.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while hot, enjoying the rich flavors of this one-dish pasta meal.
Tips
- Choose the right pasta: Use pasta shapes that hold sauce well, like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
- Salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea to enhance overall flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; the starchy liquid helps create a silky sauce.
- Don't overcook your pasta - aim for al dente for the best texture.
- Warm your marinara sauce before adding pasta to ensure even coating and temperature.
- Add Parmesan cheese off the heat to prevent clumping and achieve a smooth, creamy finish.
- Fresh basil makes a huge difference - don't skip the garnish!
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 400kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
