Poor Man's Spaghetti

Satisfy your cravings for comfort food with "Poor Man's Spaghetti," a simple yet flavorful dish that's light on the budget but big on taste. This quick and easy recipe features tender spaghetti coated in a rich, garlicky tomato sauce made with pantry staples like canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and dried Italian seasoning. A hint of sugar balances the tangy tomatoes, while optional crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle kick. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners and can be elevated with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Whether you're looking for an affordable meal or a crowd-pleasing classic, this hearty spaghetti is sure to become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, canned
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning. If desired, add crushed red pepper flakes for a slight kick.

Step 4

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (do not drain), tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 6

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat all the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(896.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1161.9

Total Fat 49.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 47.6mg	0%
Sodium 3805.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 135.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.0g	0%
Total Sugars 19.7g
Protein 47.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 805.0mg	0%
Iron 10.1mg	0%
Potassium 1298.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.6%

Protein: 16.2%

Carbs: 46.2%