Triple Threat Pasta: Three Flavors in One Dish
Effortlessly Create a Trio of Pasta Flavors with Jarred Sauces
This recipe introduces a unique pasta dish that lets you enjoy three distinct flavors all at once, using three different store-bought pasta sauces. It’s surprisingly simple to make, perfect for beginners, and ideal for impressing guests or celebrating a special occasion with an exciting culinary twist.
Pasta Ingredients- 400g Spaghetti
- 1 Onion
- 3 handfuls Peeled Garlic (approx. 15-20 cloves)
- 100g Bell Pepper (use various colors for visual appeal)
- 30g Parmesan Cheese
Sauces & Seasoning- 100g Tomato Pasta Sauce
- 300g Cream Pasta Sauce
- 100g Vongole Pasta Sauce
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 5 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt (for pasta water)
- 100g Tomato Pasta Sauce
- 300g Cream Pasta Sauce
- 100g Vongole Pasta Sauce
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 5 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt (for pasta water)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the aromatics and vegetables that will add depth to your pasta. Thinly slice the peeled garlic cloves. Using a generous amount of garlic will enhance the overall flavor. If you want to mellow the garlic’s heat while boosting its aroma, you can lightly crush 2-3 cloves with the back of a knife and add them to the pan. For a milder taste, especially for children, simply slicing them thinly is perfectly fine.
Step 2
Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a wide pan over low heat. Gently sauté the garlic until fragrant. If you’re using an induction cooktop, set it to a medium-low setting (around 4-5 out of 9) and be very careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic imparts a bitter taste that can ruin the dish.
Step 3
Once the garlic turns golden and starts to look like fried potatoes, add the thinly sliced onion and bell peppers. Continue to sauté over low heat. Cooking slowly at a low temperature brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables and ensures a tender texture.
Step 4
When the vegetables are tender, turn off the heat temporarily. Now, bring a large pot of water to a boil for cooking the pasta. Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. Salting the pasta water seasons the pasta itself, significantly improving the final dish’s flavor.
Step 5
Today, we’ll be using ‘Fontana’ tomato pasta sauce and ‘Heinz’ cream pasta sauce. The Fontana sauce has a well-balanced seasoning, making it ideal to use with the salted pasta water. The Heinz sauce can be a bit mild, so consider adding a pinch of salt at the end if needed to enhance its flavor.
Step 6
Refer to the cooking time recommended on your pasta package. For a perfectly ‘al dente’ bite, aim for 7 minutes. If you prefer softer pasta, cook for 9 minutes. I’ll be cooking mine for 9 minutes today for a softer texture.
Step 7
Set aside the sautéed vegetables in a separate bowl. The Heinz cream sauce tends to have some vegetable pieces already, so having extra sautéed vegetables will make your cream pasta even richer and more satisfying.
Step 8
Return the reserved sautéed vegetables to the pan. Add the Vongole pasta sauce. Then, add the cooked pasta and a splash of pasta water, tossing quickly to coat the pasta evenly. If you have frozen shrimp or clams on hand, adding them at this stage would further enhance the Vongole pasta’s flavor (I forgot them this time!).
Step 9
For the cream pasta variation, place the reserved sautéed vegetables back into a clean pan. Pour in the cream pasta sauce, then add the cooked pasta and a little pasta water. Toss everything together to combine. If you have bacon, adding it to sauté with the vegetables before combining with the sauce will add an extra layer of deliciousness.
Step 10
Finally, to create the rosé sauce, combine 150g of cream sauce with 100g of tomato sauce. Using a higher proportion of cream sauce results in a smoother, richer flavor. Incorporating pasta water helps the sauce emulsify and cling beautifully to the pasta. Rosé sauce pairs wonderfully with additions like shrimp and bacon. If you’re using any additional ingredients, sauté them lightly in the pan before adding the pasta and sauces.
