Quintessential Quick Supper—Dinner for 4
Quintessential Quick Supper is a 5-ingredient Italian dinner recipe, perfect for a fast and satisfying meal. This dish features pasta tossed in a simple yet flavorful garlic-infused olive oil sauce, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy a delicious, no-fuss dinner in under 30 minutes.
Do This With That Stuff
- Fill the large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and place it over high heat to bring to a boil
- Once the water is boiling, add the 12 oz of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions for al dente texture
- While the spaghetti cooks, mince 4 cloves of garlic using the chef’s knife and cutting board
- Chop 1/2 cup of fresh basil using the chef’s knife and cutting board
- Grate 1 cup of Parmesan cheese using the grater
- When the spaghetti is cooked, use the colander to drain it and set aside
- In the large skillet, heat 1/3 cup of olive oil over medium heat
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon
- Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet with garlic-infused olive oil and toss gently with a wooden spoon until well coated in oil
- Remove skillet from heat and add grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil, tossing gently with a wooden spoon until evenly distributed
- Serve immediately in four equal portions
Obvious and Not So Obvious Variations and Pairings
☕ Bitter
- Add 1 cup chopped radicchio
- Add 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Replace basil with 1/2 cup chopped fresh arugula
- Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest
🧂 Salty
- Increase salt in boiling water to 1 tablespoon
- Add 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Add 8 anchovy fillets, minced
🍋 Sour
- Add 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Add 1/4 cup capers, drained
- Add 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil
🌶️ Spicy
- Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Add 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Increase garlic to 6 cloves
- Add 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
🍬 Sweet
- Add 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Add 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- Add 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
🍄 Umami
- Add 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Add 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Add 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
🍸 Alcoholic
- Pinot Grigio: Its crisp acidity and citrus notes complement the garlic and olive oil flavors in the dish
- Chianti: The medium-bodied wine with fruity and earthy tones enhances the Parmesan cheese and basil elements
- Aperol Spritz: The refreshing, slightly bitter taste of this Italian cocktail balances the richness of the pasta and cheese.
🥤 Non Alcoholic
- Sparkling Water with Lemon: The acidity and bubbles cleanse the palate between bites of the rich pasta dish
- Iced Green Tea: The subtle bitterness and astringency of the tea balance the richness of the Parmesan cheese
- Tomato Basil Virgin Mary: The savory tomato and basil flavors complement the Italian cuisine and enhance the overall dining experience
🥓 Keto
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz zucchini noodles
- Increase olive oil to 1/2 cup
- Add 1/2 cup diced cooked chicken breast
🍆 Mediterranean
- Replace spaghetti with 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- Add 1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives
- Add 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- Replace Parmesan cheese with 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
🥑 Paleo
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz zucchini noodles
- Remove 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Add 1 cup nutritional yeast
🐟 Pescatarian
- Add 8 oz of shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Add 1/2 cup white wine
🌱 Vegan
- Replace Parmesan cheese with 1 cup vegan Parmesan cheese alternative
🥦 Vegetarian
- No changes needed as the recipe is already vegetarian friendly.
🥩 Whole30
- Replace spaghetti with 12 oz zucchini noodles
- Remove Parmesan cheese
- Replace olive oil with 1/3 cup ghee
🧠 Brain Health
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Add 1/2 cup chopped spinach
- Replace 1/3 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup olive oil
- Add 1 tbsp lemon juice
🌾 Celiac Disease
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz gluten-free spaghetti
💩 Crohns Disease
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz gluten-free spaghetti
- Replace 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1 cup grated lactose-free Parmesan cheese
- Decrease olive oil to 1/4 cup
🩸 Diabetes
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- Decrease olive oil to 1/4 cup
- Replace 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Add 1 cup chopped vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes)
🍞 Gluten Intolerance
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz gluten-free spaghetti
🫀 Heart Disease
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- Decrease olive oil to 1/4 cup
- Replace 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
❤️ Heart Health
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- Decrease olive oil to 1/4 cup
- Increase fresh basil to 3/4 cup
- Replace 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup grated low-fat mozzarella cheese
🧂 High Blood Pressure
- Remove salt from boiling water
- Replace 1/3 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup olive oil
- Replace 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Add 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
🍔 High Cholesterol
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- Replace 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1 cup grated low-fat Parmesan cheese
- Decrease olive oil to 1/4 cup
🦠 Immune System
- Add 1 cup of chopped spinach
- Add 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
- Add 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- Replace 1/2 cup basil with 1/4 cup basil and 1/4 cup parsley
🚽 Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Replace 12 oz spaghetti with 12 oz gluten-free spaghetti
- Replace 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1 cup grated lactose-free Parmesan cheese
- Decrease the garlic to 2 cloves, minced
💧 Kidney Disease
- Replace spaghetti with 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti
- Decrease olive oil to 1/4 cup
- Replace Parmesan cheese with 1/2 cup grated low-sodium Parmesan cheese
- Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
🐄 Lactose Intolerance
- Replace Parmesan cheese with 1 cup grated lactose-free Parmesan cheese alternative
🍺 Liver Disease
- Decrease olive oil to 2 tbsp
- Replace Parmesan cheese with 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- Add 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
- Add 1 cup steamed cauliflower florets
🤰 Pregnancy
- Replace Parmesan cheese with 1 cup grated pasteurized hard cheese
Beti’s Reflections
On a recent whirlwind trip to Italy, I stumbled upon the most delightful little trattoria tucked away in a cobblestone alley. It was there that I discovered the magic of Quintessential Quick Supper, an Italian Spaghetti Recipe that stole my heart and taste buds. I knew I had to bring this gem back home and share it with all of you lovely readers!
Introducing the Quintessential Quick Supper: a Garlic Parmesan Pasta dish that serves four and is perfect for those nights when you need a Quick Italian Dinner without compromising on flavor. This vegetarian-friendly meal is not only budget-friendly but also boasts an authentic Italian spaghetti dish taste that will transport you straight to Italy.
The secret to this Easy Basil Spaghetti lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients: 12 oz spaghetti, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped). Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect harmony of flavors – from the garlic-infused olive oil to the nutty Parmesan cheese and fragrant basil.
To create your own Quintessential Quick Supper, follow these straightforward instructions:
- Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil.
- Cook 12 oz of spaghetti according to package instructions for al dente texture.
- While the pasta cooks, mince 4 cloves of garlic and chop 1/2 cup of fresh basil.
- Grate 1 cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Drain cooked spaghetti using a colander and set aside.
- Heat 1/3 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Toss cooked spaghetti in garlic-infused olive oil until well coated.
- Remove skillet from heat and add grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil, tossing gently until evenly distributed.
- Serve immediately in four equal portions.
And there you have it – a homemade Parmesan basil spaghetti that’s perfect for an easy weeknight Italian meal! The Quintessential Quick Supper is not only a family-friendly Italian dinner but also a vegetarian Italian pasta recipe that will leave everyone craving more. So the next time you’re in need of a simple Italian spaghetti meal, look no further than this delightful dish. Buon appetito!
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