15-Minute Simple Pasta Recipe

Need a super easy and delicious meal that's ready to eat in 15 minutes? This simple pasta recipe fits the bill and tastes like it's been simmered all day. Plus it's a recipe you can make with nearly all pantry ingredients, just grab some Italian sausage or use another protein in your pantry and you're ready to go.

[This recipe was originally posted in November 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

How will this simple pasta recipe make your life easier?

This 15-minute spaghetti is made with ingredients I always have in my pantry (even the sausage thanks to a meat sale that I just stocked up on), it actually just takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Double the recipe for dinner & leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Here are a couple other quick recipes like Pasta Carbonara, Ugandan Chapati Roll (or egg roll up), Black Bean Veggie Tacos, White Bean & Farro Bowl, Easy Baked Salmon, Hearty Bean & Bacon Soup, or check out all my favorite pasta recipes.

What makes this pasta so good?

• Pasta
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Italian sausage
• Diced tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Basil
• Parmesan cheese

How do I make this 15 minute simple pasta recipe?

Prepare pasta by cooking ½ c pasta according to box directions.

Place saucepan on burner, at medium heat. Slice ⅛ whole yellow onion and one sausage. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, then sausage and onions to saucepan, once it's been heated. Cook until sausage is browned, about 3-5 minutes. 

Expert Tip: It's ok if onions aren't soft yet, but they'll continue to cook with the tomatoes.

Once sausage is browned, add ½ can of diced tomatoes, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper to tomatoes. Cover and cook on medium heat for at least 5 minutes.

Expert Tip: If you have extra time, lower heat to low and cook sauce for longer. Just stir occasionally.

Pour pasta into bowl, then top with sauce and sausage. Top with grated parmesan cheese and thinly sliced basil.

Expert Tips

• It's ok if onions aren't soft yet, but they'll continue to cook with the tomatoes.
•  Use your favorite sausage, and freeze leftover sausages if they won't be eaten in 3-5 days.
• If you have extra time, lower heat to low and cook sauce for longer. Just stir occasionally.

FAQ

How do I boil the perfect pasta?

Use 2 quarts of water per ½ pound of pasta being cooked + ½ tbsp salt per ½ lb pasta. Stir occasionally so noodles don't stick together. Set a timer for 2 minutes less than the package directs. Test pasta then. Pasta is done when it's just a tiny bit hard and chewy. Drain water (reserve ½ c -1 c to use in sauce) and serve with sauce.

How do you make Italian style pasta?

There are lots of different types of Italian style pasta, but mixing the pasta with the sauce is a great way to eat Italian style pasta at home. This simple pasta recipe has Italian seasoning in it + Italian sausage so it's Italian style in flavors.

Should you mix pasta with sauce?

There are a couple reasons to mix pasta with sauce, one is you can add back some of the pasta water (that has a lot of the starch from the pasta) to the sauce so it sticks to the pasta better, and you can make sure all the noodles are saucy. If you're short on time, don't mix the pasta with the sauce, but if you do have a few extra minutes, this will make your pasta taste better!

What can I make with leftover ingredients?

• (sausage) Simmer in some pasta sauce and place in a hoagie bun or a leftover pita from these chicken salad pitas to make an 'Italian sausage sandwich' or serve with these Roasted Winter Veggies.
• (diced tomatoes) South African Spiced Shakshuka, Turkey Pumpkin Chili, Coconut Green Lentil Curry, or add to this Microwave Egg Bowl.
• (pasta) Easy Pasta with Mushroom Sauce or Pasta Carbonara.

Did you make this 15 minute simple pasta recipe? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

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