Creamy Pasta
Easy & Decadent Creamy Pasta Recipe Using Jarred Sauce
There are those days, right? When you’re too tired to cook a full meal but still hungry, and you’re pondering what delicious dish will earn you culinary praise. On those days, a rich and creamy pasta is the perfect answer! It’s incredibly simple, satisfyingly rich, and delightfully savory. Adding mushrooms makes it a hit even with picky eaters. Let’s whip up a quick and easy creamy pasta using store-bought sauce!
Ingredients- Pasta (1 serving, approx. 100g)
- Jarred Cream Sauce (1 serving, refer to product instructions)
- Whole Garlic Cloves (7)
- Sandwich Ham Slices (2)
- Mushrooms (a handful of your favorite variety)
- Salt (a pinch)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- Cooking Oil (vegetable or olive oil)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the 7 whole garlic cloves and thinly slice them into slivers. Slicing the garlic this way will release a rich garlic aroma, enhancing the pasta’s flavor.
Step 2
Cut the 2 slices of sandwich ham into bite-sized pieces. You can also use bacon or chicken breast instead of ham for a different flavor profile.
Step 3
Prepare your favorite mushrooms by cleaning them, then chop them into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the ham. Mushrooms will add a rich texture and depth to the creamy sauce.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil or olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and let it infuse the oil with its aroma. (Tip! For an even richer and more complex flavor, gently infuse the oil over low heat.)
Step 5
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced ham and mushrooms to the pan and sauté them. Season with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of black pepper to enhance the ingredients’ natural flavors.
Step 6
When the ham and mushrooms are nicely browned, pour in the jarred cream sauce and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat slightly once the sauce begins to bubble.
Step 7
In a separate pot, boil plenty of water and add 1 Tbsp of salt. Cook the pasta for 1 serving according to package directions, but reduce the cooking time by about 1 minute to ensure it’s al dente. (Tip! Cooking the pasta al dente will give it a better texture when tossed with the sauce.)
Step 8
Drain the cooked pasta using a colander. Do NOT rinse it with cold water; immediately add the hot pasta directly to the frying pan with the sauce.
Step 9
Toss the pasta and sauce together over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a rich, creamy consistency. The starch released from the pasta will help create this wonderfully ‘꾸덕꾸덕’ (thick and creamy) texture. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little pasta water or milk to reach your desired consistency. Enjoy your delicious, homemade creamy pasta while it’s warm!
