My favorite quick italian meal that can be made for 1 or more easily and with little or no prep. It also stores well either in the fridge or freezer so doing a big cook-up can last you a long time. Of course the following recipe serves 2, halve it if alone, increase it if cooking for the family.

Included are the prices I pay here in New Zealand Dollars, if in the US you can probably halve the price, and of course if you have your own herb/vege garden then knock off the costs of whatever you had..

Ingredients:
3-5 cloves of garlic (depending on taste) finely chopped ($0.20)
1/2 cup fresh basil chopped ($0.50)
1 x 400g (14oz) tin diced/chopped italian tomatoes ($1)
300g long life pasta (I prefer fettuccini but any type) ($1.50)
1 large brown onion diced ($0.40)
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated ($0.60)
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt to taste
1 tbs olive oil

Cost for basic - Approx $4.20 for 2 people

Optional extras:
Substitute long life pasta for fresh pasta
Add 200g pork/beef mince
Add 1 cup fresh halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup olive oil instead if you love olive oil
1/2 cup white wine (if you like it to have more flavor)

Lets cook:

1. Add oil to the pan/pot (can use either) over medium heat
2. Add diced onions to the pan occasionally stir and cook for 3 mins stiring occasionally (add beef/pork mince too if using and stir in adding a dash of water)
3. Add garlic and diced tomatoes, reduce heat and simmer for 10 mins (add white wine too if using)
4. Add basil, salt, pepper and reduce heat to mild simmer (and add cherry tomatoes if using)
5. Meanwhile pasta to pot of boiling water with a pinch of salt, cover and cook as per packet instructions checking every minute. (if using fresh pasta it cooks within 2-3 mins and you need to cook it right at the end checking every 20 seconds after 2 mins as its easy to overcook).
6. Once pasta is cooked drain pasta and add pasta to the sauce tossing it through to coat. If you don’t toss the past through the sauce after draining it will dry and clump up.
7. Serve, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese (usually best to buy a small handheld grater and grate over the served plate)

Doesn’t take long, tastes fantastic, and is probably one of the cheapest meals you can have, especially good for feeding the family, only just make sure you use a large pot if doing this dish in bulk.

At around $2 a serve you simply can’t eat cheaper!