Name: Easy Summer Spaghetti
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 oz box of spaghetti; 2 tbsp canola or olive oil; ½ red onion (chopped); 1 small zucchini; ¼ tsp chili flakes; 3 large cloves of garlic (minced); 1 small handful of fresh basil leaves (chopped); 3/4 cup canned lentils, drained and rinsed; 1 can 796 ml diced tomatoes; salt and pepper to taste; ½ cup feta or parmesan cheese *see note

two plates of summer spaghetti with glasses of white wine

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A minimalist spaghetti sauce you can make in under 20 minutes using summer fresh ingredients!

If you’re used to making pasta by cooking up some spaghetti and pouring over a jar of pasta sauce, you might be intimidated by the prospect of making your own sauce. The good news is that your spaghetti has a lot of room for improvement! Continue reading for your directions to Flavour Country. Population: spaghetti.

If you’re doing silly things like using jarred pasta sauce, allow me to introduce you to Jamie Oliver. Jamie seems to have a genuine passion for helping people cook for themselves. He’s well known for beginner recipes that make it easy for newbies to navigate the kitchen.

As a dietitian, I love his dedication to the art of the home-cooked meal. When you learn to cook your own meals, you gain control of your nutrition.

From “Non-Cook,” to Cook

Jamie’s recipe books have turned many non-cooks into cooks. It’s like magic.

Jamie’s Food Revolution has become a legend in my circle of friends for turning our husbands into cooks. It started with one wife buying it for her husband. He was skeptical, but gave it a try.

He became a home chef.

Another wife thought she’d do the same and bought the cookbook for her husband.

He also became a home chef.

So, with that in mind I bought “Jamie’s Food Revolution” for my husband last Christmas. I’m not entirely sure he was happy with the gift, but 7 months later, I’m happy to report that…..

He has made one meal. He’s not a home chef (yet!) but that meal was amazing! (Chicken and Leek Strogonoff on page 34).

So is this one. This recipe is based on Jamie’s Classic Tomato Spaghetti. Every time I make it, I’m amazed at how easy it is, and how few ingredients it takes to make such a flavourful meal!

Why This Summer Spaghetti is a Smart Choice

This dish uses fresh herbs to add a lot of flavour. Contrast this to jarred sauces that rely on sodium and sugar for taste.
To make it a complete meal that hits all four food groups, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. If not, do what I do and balance your days instead of your meals. If you make this for dinner make sure you have adequate portions of the Meat and Alternatives category for breakfast and lunch.

5 from 1 vote