Emergency Red Spaghetti: A Pantry Staple Recipe

Updated at: 06/06/2025

Ever found yourself staring into a nearly empty pantry, craving a comforting meal, and wishing for a culinary miracle? Then "Emergency Red Spaghetti" is your new best friend. This surprisingly delicious pasta dish utilizes simple, readily available pantry staples to create a satisfying and flavorful meal in minutes. Forget complicated recipes and expensive ingredients; this recipe is all about resourcefulness and taste. It's the perfect solution for those busy weeknights or unexpected guests, proving that even the humblest ingredients can create something extraordinary.

This vibrant and surprisingly versatile dish is more than just a quick meal; it's a testament to the power of pantry creativity. We'll show you how to transform basic ingredients into a flavourful and satisfying pasta experience. Ready to discover the magic of Emergency Red Spaghetti? Let's dive into the easy step-by-step instructions below!

Tools Needed

  • Pan
  • Pot

Ingredients

  • Spaghetti: 200g
  • Onion: 1 large or 2 small
  • Garlic: 1 large or 2 small cloves
  • Dried Oregano
  • Ground Black Pepper
  • Canned Tomato Puree (with salt)
  • Salt: 2 teaspoons (for pasta water)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Sauté Aromatics and Build the Sauce

  • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and fry, stirring constantly until evenly browned (approximately 7-8 minutes).
  • Add chopped garlic, oregano, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute to prevent burning.
  • Add canned tomato puree. Lower heat to medium-low and sauté.
  • Add a little of the spaghetti cooking water to the tomato puree, stir and cook for 1 minute.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and fry, stirring constantly until evenly browned (approximately 7-8 minutes).Add chopped garlic, oregano, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute to prevent burning.Add canned tomato puree. Lower heat to medium-low and sauté.Add a little of the spaghetti cooking water to the tomato puree, stir and cook for 1 minute.
Sauté Aromatics and Build the Sauce

Step 2. Cook the Spaghetti

  • Boil water with salt in a separate pot. Add spaghetti and cook for about 10 minutes.
  • Drain the cooked spaghetti and set aside.
Boil water with salt in a separate pot. Add spaghetti and cook for about 10 minutes.Drain the cooked spaghetti and set aside.
Cook the Spaghetti

Step 3. Combine and Simmer

  • Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce. Cook over medium heat until the spaghetti absorbs the sauce and browns slightly (7-8 minutes).
Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce. Cook over medium heat until the spaghetti absorbs the sauce and browns slightly (7-8 minutes).
Combine and Simmer

Step 4. Season and Serve

  • Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately.
Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately.
Season and Serve

Read more: Quick & Easy Pantry Mexican Rice with Rotel

Tips

  • Use canned tomato puree that already contains salt to reduce the need for additional seasoning.
  • Always adjust seasoning to your preference.

Nutrition

  • N/A

FAQs

1. Can I use other types of pasta besides spaghetti?

Absolutely! Use any pasta you have on hand – penne, rotini, even macaroni will work well.

2. What can I substitute if I don't have tomato paste?

A good substitute would be a small can of crushed tomatoes or even a generous spoonful of ketchup in a pinch. The flavor will be slightly different, but still tasty!


So there you have it – Emergency Red Spaghetti, a quick, easy, and delicious meal that proves you don't need fancy ingredients to create something satisfying. This recipe is a perfect example of how resourcefulness can lead to culinary success, even in a pinch. Now go forth and conquer those empty pantry moments with this versatile and tasty pasta dish!