Ingredients for This Simple Dinner Recipe That Always Gets Saved

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Honestly, thighs are just better here, hon. They stay juicy and flavorful, unlike breasts which can dry out. Trust me, I’ve tried both, don’t use skim milk, just don’t.
• Penne Pasta: I love how the ridges hold onto that glorious sauce. I tried linguine once and it worked… kinda, but the sauce just slipped right off. Stick to something with nooks and crannies for this simple dinner recipe.

• Canned Crushed Tomatoes: Go for a good quality brand, it makes all the difference in the world. I swear by San Marzano. More garlic, less salt, fresh over dried with personal rants.

• Fresh Spinach: It wilts down to almost nothing, so don’t be shy! I always feel a bit healthier adding a big handful, even if it’s just a whisper in the end.

• Garlic & Onion: These are the soul of the dish. I always double the garlic, because, well, garlic. My kitchen smells incredible when these hit the pan, it’s just pure joy.

• Dried Oregano & Red Pepper Flakes: The oregano brings that classic Italian-American vibe, and the red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth. I once sneezed while adding the flakes and ended up with a much spicier dish than planned!

• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated, always. It melts into the sauce beautifully and adds that salty, nutty finish. Pre-grated just doesn’t hit the same, believe me.

Crafting Your Simple Dinner Recipe That Always Gets Saved

Sauté the Aromatics:

Grab a big skillet, drizzle in some olive oil, and get it warm over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onion and garlic. This is where the magic starts, honestly. That smell of onion and garlic hitting the pan? Pure comfort. Let them soften, about 5-7 minutes, until they’re fragrant and a little translucent. Don’t let them burn! I’ve definitely scorched garlic before, and let me tell you, it’s not a flavor you want in this simple dinner recipe.

Brown the Chicken Thighs:

Push the aromatics to one side of the pan. Pat your chicken thighs dry and season them generously with salt and pepper. Place them in the hot pan and let them get a beautiful golden-brown sear on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Don’t overcrowd the pan, I learned that the hard way, patience here means flavor later. You want a nice crust, that’s where all the good stuff is for this simple dinner recipe. Once browned, you can remove them and set aside, they’ll finish cooking in the sauce.

Build the Sauce:

Into the same pan, pour in your crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Give it a good stir, scraping up any delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan that’s flavor, folks! Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble gently for about 10-15 minutes, letting those flavors meld and deepen. This is where the sauce for this simple dinner recipe that always gets saved truly comes alive!

Cook the Pasta:

While your sauce is simmering, get a large pot of salted water boiling. Seriously, salt the water! I always forget to salt the water, and it makes such a difference in the final taste. Cook your penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain it, but make sure to reserve about a cup of that starchy pasta water. It’s your secret weapon for the perfect sauce consistency for this simple dinner recipe.

Combine and Wilt:

Now, add the browned chicken thighs back into the sauce. Let them simmer in the sauce for another 10-15 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and super tender. Then, stir in the fresh spinach. It’ll look like a mountain at first, but it wilts down so quickly! If the sauce looks a little too thick, add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water. It brings everything together beautifully.

Finish and Serve:

Finally, add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. Give it a taste and adjust any seasonings maybe a little more salt, maybe a tiny pinch more red pepper flakes if you’re feeling feisty. Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and some fresh basil leaves, if you have ’em. The final result should look vibrant, smell incredible, and taste like pure comfort a simple dinner recipe that always gets saved in my book!

Storing Your Simple Dinner Recipe That Always Gets Saved

One reason this simple dinner recipe that always gets saved is so good is how well it holds up! Let any leftovers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. It’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for 3-4 days. I’ve definitely made a big batch on Sunday and had delicious lunches all week. Now, reheating: gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much. I microwaved it once and the sauce separated a little so don’t do that lol, unless you’re really in a rush. The pasta can get a little softer, but the flavors actually deepen, which is a win in my book!

Simple Dinner Recipe That Always Gets Saved: Ingredient Substitutions

I’ve tried so many tweaks to this simple dinner recipe that always gets saved, depending on what’s in my fridge! If chicken thighs aren’t your thing, boneless, skinless chicken breasts work just fine, though they might dry out a bit more just keep an eye on them. Ground turkey or Italian sausage (casing removed!) are also fantastic swaps, I tried Italian sausage once and it worked… kinda, it made the dish super rich, almost too much for a weeknight. No penne? Rigatoni, ziti, or even rotini are great alternatives. Feel free to throw in other veggies too! Sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers would be lovely additions. Just remember to adjust cooking times for any protein or veggie changes.

Serving This Simple Dinner Recipe That Always Gets Saved

This simple dinner recipe that always gets saved is truly a meal in itself, but it loves a good companion! My absolute favorite pairing is a big, crusty piece of garlic bread perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also provides a nice fresh contrast. For drinks, a glass of a dry red wine, like a Chianti, is lovely, or honestly, just a big glass of sparkling water with lemon. This dish and a rom-com? Yes please. It’s comforting enough for a chilly evening, but light enough not to feel too heavy. It just feels right for any cozy occasion.

The Backstory of This Simple Dinner Recipe That Always Gets Saved

While this particular simple dinner recipe isn’t tied to one specific family heirloom, it’s deeply rooted in the spirit of Italian-American home cooking the kind where simple, fresh ingredients come together to make something truly special and comforting. It’s about using what you have, making it stretch, and feeding the people you love. For me, it became special because it was the dish I perfected during a really busy season of life, a reliable, warm hug in a bowl that always brought a smile to my face. It’s my personal take on a classic, adapted for my chaotic kitchen and my need for flavor without fuss.

Simple Dinner Recipe That Always Gets Saved: Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this simple dinner recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! I’ve swapped the chicken for cannellini beans or a mix of sautéed mushrooms and zucchini before. It worked wonderfully, still hearty and full of flavor. Just skip the chicken browning step!

→ What if I don’t have fresh spinach for this simple dinner recipe?

Frozen spinach works too! Just thaw it and squeeze out as much water as you can before adding it to the sauce. I tried adding it frozen once, and it watered down the sauce a bit, so definitely drain it!

→ Can I use a different type of tomato for this simple dinner recipe?

Yes, you can! Canned diced tomatoes or even whole peeled tomatoes (crushed by hand) would work. The texture might be a little chunkier, but the flavor will still be delicious. I’ve used diced in a pinch, and it was still a hit!

→ How long does this simple dinner recipe last in the fridge?

This simple dinner recipe keeps well for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors actually get even better the next day, which is why it’s a meal-prep favorite for me!

→ Can I add more vegetables to this simple dinner recipe?

Definitely! Bell peppers, zucchini, or even some finely chopped carrots would be great additions. Sauté them with the onion and garlic at the beginning. I’ve thrown in leftover roasted veggies before, too!