Simple 7-Ingredient Recipe

Okay, here's a simple and surprisingly satisfying savory dish using just 7 common pantry staples!

Dish Name: Golden Pantry Pasta

This dish uses basic ingredients to create a comforting, garlicky, and slightly creamy pasta sauce with added protein from chickpeas.

Yields: 2 servings Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

1. Pasta: About 6-8 oz (170-225g) of any shape you have (spaghetti, penne, rotini work well)
2. Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons
3. Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon (or more, to taste)
4. Canned Chickpeas: 1 can (15 oz / 425g), drained and rinsed
5. Canned Diced Tomatoes: 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g), undrained
6. Salt: To taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon for the sauce, plus salt for pasta water)
7. Black Pepper: To taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (slightly firm to the bite). Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta.
2. Start the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
3. Add Aromatics: Stir in the garlic powder and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
4. Combine Ingredients: Add the drained chickpeas and the entire can of undrained diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir everything together.
5. Season and Simmer: Season with salt and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
6. Develop Flavor & Texture: Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a slightly creamier texture, use the back of your spoon to gently mash about a quarter of the chickpeas against the side of the skillet as it simmers.
7. Combine & Finish: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
8. Serve: Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

Enjoy your delicious and easy Golden Pantry Pasta!