Little Italy 15-Minute Pasta
A quick and authentic Italian pasta dish inspired by Little Italy, made with pantry staples and fresh flavors in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice (spaghetti, penne, or farfalle work well)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup pasta cooking water (reserved)
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (for extra protein)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and release their juices.
- If using cannellini beans, add them now and warm through.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss to coat.
- Remove from heat and stir in torn basil and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately with additional Parmesan on top.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you like (spaghetti, penne, or farfalle work well).
- Add cannellini beans for extra protein and a heartier meal.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- Fresh basil and good-quality olive oil elevate the dish.
- Perfect for busy weeknights and can be customized with seasonal vegetables.