15-Minute Pantry Pasta With What Is Already in the House
This is not a shopping list. Open the pantry and fridge. If you have pasta plus one flavor path, you have dinner.
Base
- Pasta you already own (any shape).
- Salt for the water.
- A fat: olive oil or butter if it is there.
Pick one flavor path (use what exists)
A. Tomato can path — open crushed or diced tomatoes; simmer with oil, salt, and garlic or onion powder if you have it. Chili flake optional.
B. Garlic oil path — warm oil with sliced garlic (or garlic powder). Toss pasta, add pasta water, finish with pepper and Parmesan if it is in the fridge.
C. Leftover veg path — chop and warm whatever cooked vegetable is lingering; toss with pasta and oil; egg on top if you have eggs.
Method
- Boil pasta.
- Build the sauce in a second pan while it cooks.
- Save a mug of pasta water before draining.
- Combine; loosen with pasta water; taste salt.
Protein if you have it
A can of chickpeas, leftover chicken, or frozen meatballs already in the freezer. If you do not, the pasta still counts as dinner. Add a side of whatever fruit or salad greens are not sad yet.
Honest budget note
This meal is cheap because it uses staples you repurchase anyway — not because you bought a specialty chili crisp for one recipe.
