Simple 7-Ingredient Recipe

Recipe: Pantry Pirate's Tomato Tango

This is a simple savory pasta dish that's hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It uses just 7 common pantry ingredients: pasta (like spaghetti or penne), canned diced tomatoes, olive oil (or any vegetable oil), salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano (or basil if you have it).

Ingredients (serves 2):

• 8 oz pasta
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and pasta, then cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic powder, black pepper, and dried oregano, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice) and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
5. Serve hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of extra oregano for flair.

Estimated Prep/Cook Time:

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 20 minutes

This dish is like a pirate's treasure—simple, satisfying, and made from what you've got on hand. Enjoy!