Quick and Easy Pasta Recipes for One

Introduction

Cooking for one can sometimes feel like a chore, but it doesn't have to be! Pasta is a versatile and comforting dish that can be easily customized for a single serving. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a simple dinner, these easy pasta recipes are perfect for satisfying your cravings without the hassle of making a large batch. These recipes utilize pantry staples and require minimal cooking time, making them ideal for busy individuals.

10-Minute Cheesy Pasta for One

This recipe is a testament to how quickly you can whip up a satisfying meal. It's rich, cheesy, and silky, perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• Your favorite dried pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, rotini, farfalle, rigatoni, or bucatini)
• Water
• Salt
• Butter (2 tablespoons)
• Grated cheese (Parmesan, or your favorite)
• Black pepper

Instructions:

1. Bring a saucepan with a few inches of water and a generous pinch of salt to a boil. Use just enough water to cover the noodles, ensuring a high starch concentration in the pasta water.
2. Once the water is boiling, grab a handful of long noodles about the diameter of a quarter (about 1 inch) and add them to the pot. Cook the pasta until it is flexible, but not all the way to al dente.
3. Place a 10-inch sauté pan on the stove next to the pot of pasta and set the burner to medium.
4. Add two pats of butter (2 tablespoons) to the sauté pan.
5. Use a pasta fork to transfer the pasta to the sauté pan.
6. Pour enough of the pasta cooking water into the sauté pan to come about halfway up the noodles (about ¼ cup).
7. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the pasta, tossing occasionally, until al dente (or to your liking).
8. Turn off the heat and toss with enough grated cheese to absorb the remaining liquid in the pan and form a creamy sauce. Freshly grated cheese melts better, but pre-grated is convenient and works in a pinch.
9. Grind plenty of black pepper onto the top of the pasta. Use a pepper grinder to thoroughly coat the pasta with freshly ground black peppercorns. When you think you've added enough, give it a stir, and then add even more.
10. Taste and add more salt if needed.

Variations:

• Protein: Add Italian sausage, grilled chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, crispy tofu, or grilled shrimp.
• Vegetables: Add broccoli (steamed or sautéed) or bell peppers (lightly sautéed).
• Flavor Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil or parsley, or a sprinkle of garlic powder or garlic cloves. You can also add chicken broth to enhance the flavor of the pasta, giving it a savory depth. Incorporating heavy cream will create a richer, creamier sauce. Simply substitute a portion of the cooking water with chicken broth or add a splash of heavy cream towards the end of cooking

Tips:

• Use high-quality pasta for the best results. Pasta imported from Italy is usually a good bet.
• Don't discard the pasta water! The starch in the water helps create a creamy sauce.

Storing Leftovers:

Store leftover Pasta for One in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay good for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended as it may alter the texture of the pasta and sauce. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a small amount of water or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. Alternatively, you can microwave it, covered, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

One-Pot "Yummy Pasta"

This recipe is incredibly simple, using just four ingredients and cooked all in one pot. It's a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• Pasta (any shape)
• Milk
• Marinara sauce
• Water
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Combine the (uncooked) pasta, milk, marinara, and water in a large saucepan.
2. Stir until well combined and then turn heat to high.
3. Bring the contents to a boil.
4. Once boiling, stir in the salt and reduce heat to a simmer.
5. Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is tender and the liquid has mostly absorbed and there is a nice, thick sauce, 12 to 15 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and serve and enjoy!

Caprese Pasta for One

If you love Caprese salad, you'll adore this pasta version. It brings together ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil for a flavorful and satisfying dish.

Read also: Why Pasta Fagioli is good for weight loss.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (57g) of dry pasta (angel hair recommended)
• 2 ripe Roma tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
• Fresh mozzarella cheese (or vegan alternative)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ¼ cup of the starchy pasta water. Pro Tip: Adding a hefty pinch of salt to the water helps season the pasta from within, giving it more flavor.
2. Sauté the Garlic: In a 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
3. Cook the Tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring often, until softened and slightly saucy.
4. Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
5. Add Final Ingredients: Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan.
6. Season and Serve: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

Variations:

• Caprese Pasta Salad: Toss cooked and cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
• Chicken Caprese Pasta: Add baked chicken breast, baked chicken thighs or any cooked chicken for extra protein.
• Caprese Pasta Bake: Combine cooked pasta, chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, a drizzle of olive oil, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of marinara sauce.

Tips:

• Use fresh mozzarella for the best flavor.
• It’s best to toss everything together right before serving so the mozzarella melts gently and the basil stays fresh.

Storing Leftovers:

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or olive oil to bring back creaminess. This dish is meant to be served warm so the mozzarella slightly softens. But yes, you can also serve it cooled as a pasta salad, especially in warm weather.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 591kcal, Carbohydrates: 51g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 23g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 615mg, Potassium: 191mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 295IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 255mg, Iron: 1mg

Olive Oil and Garlic Pasta (Aglio e Olio) for One

This simple Italian classic is perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. It requires minimal ingredients and is ready in minutes.

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Salt
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Lemon zest (optional)
• Dried herbs (oregano, rosemary, or Italian seasoning - optional)

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Toss in the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve a tablespoon or so of the starchy pasta water before you drain the pasta.
2. While the pasta is cooking, warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
3. Add the garlic and cook until lightly golden and softened (you may need to lower the heat to prevent it from browning too fast).
4. Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it while reserving about one tablespoon of the starchy pasta water.
5. Add the spaghetti to the pan with the oil and garlic.
6. Add red pepper flakes, lemon zest, or dried herbs, if desired.

One-Pot Cheesy Pasta for One

This is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients:

• Pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni recommended)
• Water
• Alfredo sauce
• Marinara sauce
• Tomato paste
• Red chilli flakes
• Salt
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Butter
• Garlic cloves

Instructions:

1. Sauté the garlic cloves - while you don’t NEED to use garlic I always like an aromatic in my pastas. Add some butter to a pan and sauté your garlic.
2. Add everything except the cheeses : this is where you add the 1 cup of dry pasta, 2 cups of water, Alfredo sauce, marinara sauce, tomato paste, red chilli flakes and some salt.
3. Bring the whole thing to a boil and then simmer on medium heat until most of the water evarporates.
4. Taste & adjust any spices and salt.
5. Once it’s looking saucy, mix in the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.

Tips:

• Use shorter pasta like ziti, penne or rigatoni because they hold sauce better.
• You don’t need extra starchy pasta cooking water for this.

Garlic Butter Pasta for One

This recipe features a flavorful herb-infused sauce with fresh garlic, Parmesan, and a hint of lemon juice.

Read also: Delicious Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• ½ lb. pasta (Shellbow recommended)
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 2 ¾ cups chicken broth
• ¾ cup half and half
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• ½ chicken bouillon cube
• ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Seasonings: ¾ teaspoon EACH dried basil, oregano, parsley, mustard powder; ¼ teaspoon EACH dried thyme, onion powder, pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine the seasonings and set aside. Measure out remaining ingredients before beginning. This recipe goes quick, so you want to be ready.
2. Add 3 tbsps. of the butter to a soup pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and seasonings. Stir continuously until the butter starts to foam.
3. Add the chicken broth, half and half, soy sauce, and bouillon cube.
4. Bring to a boil and add the pasta. Bring back to a gentle boil and cook uncovered according to package instructions. Run a silicone spatula along the bottom of the pot throughout cooking to lift any pasta that may be settling to the bottom. Taste-test the pasta for doneness before proceeding.
5. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice.
6. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and cover the pot to let it melt.

Read also: Delicious Keto Pasta Salads

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