Quick and Easy Dinner - One-Pan Pasta

A few weeks ago I was sitting at my desk at working thinking about what I could make for dinner that night that would be quick. I had a late meeting, which meant I had to make a mad dash to pick my daughter up from the after school program, get home, throw something on the stove and get her ready to go back to school for her book club event.

As I was doing my google search I stumbled upon a Martha Stewart recipe that seemed easy enough. I have to say that I am no Martha Stewart and was a little skeptical that I was going to be able to pull it off and that it was as a quick and easy as it seemed to be. The only item that I didn’t have was the basil but there is a little grocery store that I could stop at on my way home to pick it up the fresh basil.

Well… I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised that it came out perfect and my daughter loved it! I even added a little shrimp.

I would strongly suggest making this dish it is wonderful, quick and easy!

INGREDIENTS

• 12 ounces linguine
• 12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
• 1 onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• 2 sprigs basil, plus torn leaves for garnish
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 1/2 cups water
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red-pepper flakes, basil, oil, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and water in a large straight-sided skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil mixture, stirring and turning pasta frequently with tongs, until pasta is al dente and water has nearly evaporated, about 9 minutes.
   
   
2. Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide among 4 bowls, and garnish with basil. Serve with oil and Parmesan.