Recipe: Pasta Aglio e Olio

Ingredients

• 200g spaghetti or any pasta
• 4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt, to taste
• Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic turns golden brown and becomes fragrant (around 2-3 minutes).
3. Remove the skillet from heat and immediately add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss the pasta in the garlic-infused oil until well coated. If the pasta seems dry, add a little reserved pasta water to moisten it.
4. Season with salt according to your taste preference. Toss the pasta once more to evenly distribute the seasoning.
5. Serve the pasta in individual bowls, garnishing with chopped parsley if desired.

Recipe: Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 200g penne pasta or any pasta of your choice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves, torn, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent and lightly golden.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings, if needed.
6. Combine the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce until well coated.
7. Serve the pasta in individual bowls, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and torn fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients

• 200g linguine or any pasta of your choice
• 250g shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
5. Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the skillet and bring it to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and red pepper flakes. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously.
7. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
8. Add the cooked linguine and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined and coated in the sauce.
9. Serve the pasta in individual bowls, garnished with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.