Easy One-Pot Pasta with Garlic and Herb Sauce

Description: A simple yet delicious pasta dish that can be prepared in one pot with minimal effort! This recipe features a garlic and herb sauce combined with your favorite type of pasta, creating an aromatic and creamy texture. The cooking time is approximately 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight meals or casual family dinners. You will enjoy this hearty meal whether you're having it on its own as a main course or alongside a simple salad.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of your preferred pasta
• 4 cloves garlic minced finely
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (you can use vegetable oil if needed)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, adjust according to your spice preference)
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves torn into pieces
• Parmesan cheese grated

To begin this recipe, start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Once it reaches boiling point, season the water with salt and cook your pasta according to the package instructions until al dente (typically 8-10 minutes). Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on what type of pasta you are using.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the garlic sauce. Heat up olive oil or vegetable oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if you wish to include them), stirring until fragrant but not yet browned – about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it will give your dish an undesirable taste.

When the pasta is ready, drain it but retain a small amount of pasta water before adding the pasta back into the skillet containing the garlic mixture. Stir well so that the pasta gets coated evenly with the flavors from the sauce. Then gradually add in heavy cream or half-and-half, stirring continuously to ensure even mixing.

Once the mixture starts thickening up and the sauce becomes creamy, season it with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to taste preferences. Fold in torn basil leaves until they are fully incorporated into the sauce. The herbs will provide a delightful burst of freshness enhancing the overall flavor.

Finally, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over top as an optional garnish which adds richness along with a hint of saltiness without overpowering other ingredients.

Serving Suggestions:

1. This dish pairs wonderfully well with a fresh green salad on the side for added freshness and color contrast.
2. For extra flavor, you could also top off individual portions with some additional Parmesan or even Pecorino Romano cheese.

Tips:

• If you prefer a lighter version of this dish without the cream, you can simply omit it and just add more olive oil instead. It will still remain creamy due to the natural properties of the garlic sauce.
• The pasta cooking time mentioned above assumes regular dried pasta; if you decide to use fresh noodles or whole-grain varieties, note that they might require slightly longer cooking times.

Storage and Reheating:

This dish is best enjoyed freshly prepared but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place it back into a pot along with some water or vegetable stock to prevent sticking. Heating it up on low heat while stirring regularly until thoroughly heated through ensures that you get all the flavors intact without any loss of texture.

Conclusion:

In summary, this one-pot pasta dish with garlic and herb sauce offers a simple yet satisfying meal option for busy nights or casual gatherings alike. Its preparation requires minimal effort yet delivers rich taste profiles making it versatile enough to suit various dietary preferences including vegetarian options since no meat is included in the recipe.