Angel Hair Pasta & Stewed Tomatoes

This is weeknight pasta stripped down to its essentials: delicate angel hair tangled with emerald broccoli florets and chunks of stewed tomatoes, perfumed with garlic, oregano, basil, and thyme.

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens everything and cuts through the richness.

It’s the kind of simple, honest cooking that tastes like more than the sum of its parts, especially when you use fresh herbs.

Kitchen Tips

• Don’t overcook angel hair: It cooks in 2-3 minutes and turns mushy fast, so watch it closely and drain when still al dente.
• Steam broccoli separately: Cook broccoli just until bright green and tender-crisp so it doesn’t turn to mush when tossed with pasta.
• Use fresh herbs: Fresh oregano makes a big difference here (dried works but won’t be as vibrant).
• Toss while hot: Mix everything together while the pasta is still steaming so the tomatoes warm through.

Variations

• Add protein: Toss in white beans, chickpeas, or grilled chicken for a heartier meal.
• Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes with the garlic for a kick.
• Try different greens: Swap broccoli for asparagus, green beans, or kale.