Spaghetti with Simple Marinara Sauce
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What is your favorite recipe for when you’re busy?
Oh man, my life has been so upside down lately. But in a good way! I have been really dedicated to studying blogging – reading books, listening to podcasts, participating in Facebook groups, going to conferences and everything. All this while managing to post 3 times a week, taking care of my little family and working full time on Broadway. My brain literally works 24/7, which is making it impossible for me to sleep at night.
We usually go to bed at around 1am because Tim has to wake up early. We lay in bed and in 5 minutes he’s snoring. (How can someone fall asleep that fast?) Me, on the other hand, I stare at the darkness thinking all the thoughts that could have been thunk during the day, but noooo, oh no, they need to come at 1:30am! Sometimes if the insomnia is really bad, I eventually give up and grab my phone or iPad and try to get something done until Tim complains about the ‘light’ (even though I set the brightness to low!)
I guess that’s what happens when you’re passionate about your work. There’s no 9-5! You’re thinking about it all the time. ‘How can I get better?’ is the question that keeps popping in my mind all the time. I wanna excel at every single aspect of my life. I wanna be a better cook, a better blogger, a better wife, a better dog mommy. I wanna keep my apartment in better shape! I wanna cook my week’s meals ahead of time so I don’t have to come from work at 11pm and go to the kitchen! But, unfortunately, I’m not an organized person and I’m totally a procrastinator. So sometimes, in the middle of all that madness, I come home from work and realize we have nothing to eat. Oh well, thank God for Spaghetti with Simple Marinara Sauce, the recipe that I have up my sleeve for days like that.
As a good Italian descendent, three things I ALWAYS have available in my pantry are dried pasta (usually spaghetti), cans of peeled tomatoes (San Marzano, of course!) and extra virgin olive oil. Those 3 ingredients alone can make a delicious sauce! However, the sauce gets even better with the addition of garlic and basil. Oh, and let’s not forget the Parmigiano Reggiano. Even though, traditionally, the marinara sauce isn’t supposed to be served with cheese. But I simply cannot live without Parmigiano Reggiano! (Can you?) Like, seriously, can it get any better than that?
My point is: it’s okay if you can’t cook a 4 hour meal today. Recipes like this one are equally delicious. You just need fresh, simple ingredients. Let THEM do the work for you!
I grew up having something similar to this at least once a week. My mom is a prestigious opera singer in my home country and it wasn’t uncommon for her to be out on tour somewhere, leaving me and my brother to my dad’s care. So my dad, or Valdeci, my nanny, were responsible for feeding two little spoiled kids who hated lots of things, but happened to love pasta. So pasta became my dad’s specialty… I mean, if you can call cooking spaghetti and opening a can of sauce a specialty… (Sorry, dad!)
This recipe is as easy as putting the ingredients in a pan and letting them cook for 15 minutes. Dinner will be on the table in less than 30 minutes and, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a bowl of delicious spaghetti marinara?
Spaghetti with Simple Marinara Sauce
Yield:
4
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/4 olive oil
- 1 (28oz) can peeled San Marzano tomatoes
- 2 sprigs basil
- 5 cloves of garlic, sliced thinly
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A pinch of sugar (optional)
- 1lbs spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions
- Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano to serve
Instructions
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6 Comments on “Spaghetti with Simple Marinara Sauce”
Olivia, it is unbelievable!! We have the same problem. We usually go to bed at around 11pm because my husband Pierre in 2 minutes is snoring. I always ask myself the same question: How can someone fall asleep that fast?… hahhahahahahha! Sometimes I have insomnia and grab my phone and Pierre also complains about the ‘light’. I think we have to meet someday because we have lots of things in common ;-)
We probably eat this dish on a weekly basis because it is a family favourite! You are right, it is so easy to make and packed with flavour so pleasure is always guaranteed. Oh wow your mum is an opera singer?This is awesome, I love opera, is it possible to watch her singing somewhere on the internet, maybe ‘you tube’?
Thanks for reminding me how delicious spaghetti marinara is Olivia.. cannot remember the last time I actually indulged in a bowlful & am determined to now!
Spaghetti with marinara is one of my most favourite dinner recipes! This looks divine, Olivia! :D
I can hear you, life has become so busy! And on top of it we are looking for a house so it’s like weekends are totally dedicated to house hunting. I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day!
Yes busy days call for easy meals like this! I love this classic recipe! Pinned,
Pasta and marinara is the best staple to have on hand. I couldn’t imagine having it without cheese either! Your mom is an opera singer? That’s so interesting. I can see where you get your flair for acting!