Vegetarian

Vegan (if no cheese is used)

Gluten free (if gluten free pasta used)

This is the simplest and tastiest way to enjoy pasta and just great comfort food. It is also just about the cheapest meal ever. As with all simple meals, it is important to choose the best available ingredients as each one plays a key part in the flavour.

Ingredients

• 400g tin of plum tomatoes – chopped will do but plum have more flavour
• six or seven cloves or garlic – as much as you like, chopped or squeezed
• liberal splodge of extra virgin olive oil
• herbs – fresh or dried basil/oregano. How much is up to you
• pinch of salt
• grind of black pepper
• grated cheese – I like grana padano but cheddar works well too. It is fine without cheese but, for me, cheese is my downfall (along with alcohol…..)

Yes, accompanied by a robust red Sicilian wine, makes this into a feast

Method

• Pour a goodly splosh of olive oil into a pan.
• Add garlic and gently heat for a minute or so. Don’t burn the garlic.
• Tip in the tomatoes and stir
• Add herbs, salt and pepper. Cook on a low heat for 20 minutes.
• Boil pasta as per instructions – usually around 8 minutes to al dente.
• Drain pasta and add to sauce.

Serve, maybe adding fresh basil leaves (if you want to be posh) with grated cheese in a bowl for those who wish it.

Just so good! You will wonder why you don’t have this more often or possibly you might just start looking at properties in Tuscany.