Simple Pasta Recipes for Every Mood

Pasta is more than food; it’s comfort in a bowl. With just a handful of ingredients, it can lift moods, soothe stress, and bring people together. Here are three simple yet flavor-packed recipes you can easily make at home – each one a warm, satisfying hug for the soul.

Aglio e Olio – Garlic and Chili Classic

Ingredients

  • 500 g dried spaghetti (or other long pasta)
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 8–10 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan, for serving
  • Salt, to taste

Method

  1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook gently until golden and fragrant (do not burn).
  3. Add chili flakes, then toss in the cooked pasta along with a splash of pasta water to create a silky sauce.
  4. Stir in parsley and season with salt.
  5. Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.

Tip: For extra richness, add a knob of butter at the end before serving.

Arrabbiata – Spicy Tomato Kick

Ingredients

  • 500 g penne or spaghetti
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 600 g canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp red chili flakes (reduce if you prefer less heat)
  • ¼ cup parsley or fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Parmesan, for serving

Method

  1. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
  2. In a large pan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
  3. Add tomatoes, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Toss pasta into the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water if needed for creaminess.
  5. Stir in herbs just before serving. Top with Parmesan and enjoy the fiery goodness.

Variation: Add olives or sundried tomatoes for a deeper flavor.

Pomarola – Fresh Tomato & Basil

Ingredients

  • 500 g spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 800 g ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Parmesan, for serving

Method

  1. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
  3. Add tomatoes and cook until softened and slightly saucy (8–10 minutes).
  4. Toss in pasta and a splash of pasta water to combine everything.
  5. Stir in fresh basil and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with Parmesan on top.

Optional: Add a drizzle of good quality olive oil right before serving for an extra layer of flavor.

Final Bite

These recipes prove that pasta doesn’t need to be complicated to be satisfying. Whether you crave the garlicky comfort of Aglio e Olio, the spicy punch of Arrabbiata, or the fresh vibrance of Pomarola, each dish is simple, quick, and deeply comforting.