Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup dry pasta (penne, macaroni, or rotini work well)
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Substitution tips: If you don’t have marinara sauce, a simple mix of tomato paste and a pinch of sugar works nicely. For a dairy-free option, swap Parmesan with nutritional yeast. And if you prefer a creamier pasta, stirring in a tablespoon of cream cheese after cooking adds that lovely richness.
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the dry pasta and water. The water should cover the pasta by about half an inch.
- Microwave on high for 6 minutes, then carefully stir. Check the pasta; if it’s still a bit hard, microwave for another 2-3 minutes. The total cooking time usually ranges from 8 to 10 minutes depending on your microwave’s power.
- Once the pasta is tender and most of the water is absorbed, stir in the marinara sauce, olive oil or butter, garlic powder, dried herbs, and salt to taste.
- Microwave the mixture for another 1-2 minutes until everything is warm and well combined.
- Remove from microwave and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Stir gently to melt the cheese slightly.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves if you have them on hand, and serve immediately.
When I taught Ouma how to make this quick meal during our college days, she was stunned by how easy and satisfying it was. This method keeps the pasta from overcooking and saves on dirty pots, which is a blessing when you’re juggling life’s many responsibilities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
