I tried easy weeknight pasta recipes by Ina Garten and Ree Drummond. One earned a spot in my dinner rotation.

I tried simple pasta recipes from renowned chefs Ina Garten and Ree Drummond for a quick weeknight dinner. Garten's five-ingredient tomato pasta is practically a no-cook meal, while Drummond's creamy sausage pasta offers a cheesy one-pan dinner ready in just 30 minutes.

Both recipes were easy to prepare, using minimal ingredients and requiring only a short cooking time. Garten's recipe called for just five main ingredients: angel hair pasta, Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil leaves. Drummond's recipe required a slightly longer list of ingredients, including sweet Italian sausage, onion, oregano, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, garlic, chicken broth, tomato puree, tomato paste, fusilli pasta, mozzarella cheese, mascarpone, and fresh basil leaves.

The cooking process for both recipes was straightforward. For Garten's tomato pasta, I halved the cherry tomatoes and garlic, then added them to a mixing bowl with the julienned basil leaves and seasonings. Olive oil was used to create a sauce base, and the mixture was covered and left at room temperature for about four hours. The pasta noodles were then cooked and tossed with the tomato mixture, finishing with grated cheese.

Drummond's creamy sausage pasta also had a simple preparation process. I cooked the sausage in a skillet, then added the diced onion and seasonings. The sauce ingredients, including low-sodium chicken broth, tomato puree, and tomato paste, were added along with the uncooked pasta. The pasta cooked directly in the skillet with the sauce, thickening as it simmered. Lastly, the dish was finished with shredded mozzarella, mascarpone, and shaved Parmesan, along with fresh basil leaves.

After tasting both recipes, I found that both were packed with flavor and incredibly easy to make. Although Garten's tomato pasta cooled off quickly due to being left at room temperature, it still tasted fresh and delicious. Drummond's creamy sausage pasta was particularly appealing for its convenience, as it required no separate pot or colander for cooking and cleanup. Both recipes were ideal for a cozy, comforting meal without the need for hours in the kitchen.