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Easy 10-Minute Pasta Dinners with 5 Ingredients or Less

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Quick and simple pasta dinners made with 5 ingredients or less, perfect for busy nights when you need a fast, satisfying meal without fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, or gluten-free options)
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or garlic powder as a substitute)
  • ½ cup (50 grams) freshly grated parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for dairy-free)
  • Handful of fresh basil or parsley, chopped
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Optional: cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, olives, canned tuna, cooked chicken, spinach

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of your chosen pasta. Cook according to package instructions, usually 7-9 minutes for al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Reserve about ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta using a colander.
  4. Add drained pasta to the skillet with garlic oil. Toss to coat evenly. If the mixture seems dry, splash in reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.
  5. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in ½ cup (50 grams) freshly grated parmesan and a handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley. Toss gently until cheese melts and pasta glistens.
  6. Finish with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. For a little heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes. Serve immediately with extra parmesan on the side.

Notes

Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. Watch garlic carefully to avoid burning. Save some pasta water to loosen sauce. For dairy-free, substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast and olive oil with toasted sesame oil. Add optional ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes or olives after garlic step. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: easy pasta, quick dinner, 10-minute meal, 5 ingredients, simple pasta recipe, busy night dinner, quick pasta, minimal ingredients

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