Simple Homemade Tomato Spaghetti
Simple Homemade Tomato Spaghetti
Quick and Easy Solo Meal: Tomato Spaghetti
Whip up a restaurant-quality tomato spaghetti right at home with this incredibly simple recipe! Just boil the pasta, add a delicious tomato sauce, and sprinkle with cheese for a quick and satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a speedy lunch or a delightful dinner, easily rivaling takeout options.
Ingredients- 4 Tbsp store-bought tomato spaghetti sauce
- 1 serving spaghetti pasta (approx. 80-100g)
- 2-3 cloves fresh garlic
- 1/2 medium onion
- 7 button mushrooms
- 3 strips bacon
- Pinch of ground black pepper (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all your ingredients before you start cooking. Finely mince or slice the garlic. Thinly slice the onion. Clean and quarter or slice the button mushrooms. Cut the bacon into 1-2 cm pieces. Having everything prepped will make the cooking process much smoother and faster.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti pasta and cook for about 6-7 minutes, or until ‘al dente’ (firm to the bite). It’s best not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the sauce.
Step 3
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced or sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to burn it. Add the sliced onion and bacon to the pan and cook until the onion is translucent and the bacon is crispy. The rendered bacon fat will add extra flavor.
Step 4
Stir in 4-5 tablespoons of your favorite store-bought tomato spaghetti sauce. Using a pre-made sauce makes this recipe incredibly quick and easy, while still delivering a rich flavor. Adjust the amount of sauce according to your preference and the amount of pasta.
Step 5
Using tongs, transfer the cooked spaghetti directly from the boiling water into the sauce pan. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Add 1-2 ladlefuls of the reserved pasta water to the pan with the sauce and pasta. Toss everything together over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat the pasta evenly. The pasta water helps to emulsify the sauce and make it cling to the noodles.
Step 6
Add the prepared button mushrooms to the pan and continue to sauté for another 1-2 minutes, until they are tender and have softened slightly. The mushrooms add a lovely chewy texture to the dish.
Step 7
Season with freshly ground black pepper. Give it about 3 twists from your pepper grinder, or to your personal taste. Black pepper adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor.
Step 8
Serve the spaghetti immediately. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle with dried parsley flakes or grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your delicious homemade tomato spaghetti!
