My Easy Pantry Pasta Recipe

This pantry pasta is SO easy and SO satisfying.
Easy Weeknight Dinner: My Pantry Pasta Recipe! Made with Mediterranean flavors and pantry staples like marinated artichokes, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, plum tomatoes, garlic, capers, kalamata olives, and more! An easy recipe for a weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. #dinnerecipe #pantrystaples #pastarecipe

A few weeks ago, I shared this recipe in my stories on Instagram in partnership with Fred Meyer and Kroger, but I wanted to share it here on the blog just in case you missed it! I’ve gotten lots of direct messages about it — and rightfully so! This easy recipe is basically what I call Pantry Pasta because it’s the perfect way to use whatever you have on hand and get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. I came up with it last year because we always had jars of half-used ingredients on hand… and no real plan to use them up. I started combining flavors that are tried and trusted, then it just developed from there. It’s SO easy and SO satisfying.

Easy Weeknight Dinner: My Pantry Pasta Recipe! Made with Mediterranean flavors and pantry staples like marinated artichokes, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, plum tomatoes, garlic, capers, kalamata olives, and more! An easy recipe for a weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. #dinnerecipe #pantrystaples #pastarecipe

I’m going to walk you through how I typically make this pasta recipe, but keep in mind that it’s a pantry recipe… so anything goes! It just depends on what dry-goods you have on hand in your kitchen. I do suggest keeping it in the realm of Mediterranean flavors. So, olives, peppers, tomatoes, onions, pesto, etc. But don’t worry: I have a list of potential substitutions for you, too! This meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it’s perfect when you don’t feel like cooking.

Easy Weeknight Dinner: My Pantry Pasta Recipe! Made with Mediterranean flavors and pantry staples like marinated artichokes, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, plum tomatoes, garlic, capers, kalamata olives, and more! An easy recipe for a weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. #dinnerecipe #pantrystaples #pastarecipe
Easy Weeknight Dinner: My Pantry Pasta Recipe! Made with Mediterranean flavors and pantry staples like marinated artichokes, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, plum tomatoes, garlic, capers, kalamata olives, and more! An easy recipe for a weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. #dinnerecipe #pantrystaples #pastarecipe

Easy Weeknight Dinner: My Pantry Pasta Recipe

This pantry pasta is SO easy and SO satisfying.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 452 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Orzo
  • 1 cup marinated artichokes Trader Joe's has my favorite kind
  • 3-4 plum tomatoes chopped
  • 3/4 cup Kalamata olives pitted and roughly chopped
  • 1 shallot thinly minced
  • 1/2 cup capers
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt
  • Sea salt flakes
  • Pepper
  • Parmesan cheese for garnish
  • Zest of 1 lemon for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Strain the oil from the marinated artichokes into a large heavy bottomed pot on medium heat.
  • Once the oil is heated, add the thinly sliced shallot. When the shallot becomes translucent, add garlic and tomato paste.
  • Let the tomato pasta deepen in color and caramelize for a deeper flavor, about 2 minutes (I learned this trick from Alison Roman!).
  • Tumble in chopped tomatoes, artichokes, capers, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and chopped olives. Stir to combine and let simmer while the pasta cooks. You may need to reduce the heat.
  • Next, cook your pasta to the packaging directions.
  • Once it's finished, drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of the liquid.
  • Toss the pasta with a drizzle of olive oil. Pour the liquid into the sauce mixture and stir, scraping the sides and bottom of the pan. Allow to simmer for a few more minutes while it thickens.
  • To plate, spoon the pasta into a bowl and top with the sauce. Garnish with lemon zest, sea salt flakes, freshly ground pepper, and a healthy amount of freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 8gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 4897mgPotassium: 764mgFiber: 14gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 4313IUVitamin C: 77mgCalcium: 161mgIron: 5mg
Keyword easy meal, pantry meal, Pasta, quick, simple meal, vegetables, vegetarian, weeknight
Tried this recipe?Tag @jojotastic on Instagram & tag #jojotastic!
Easy Weeknight Dinner: My Pantry Pasta Recipe! Made with Mediterranean flavors and pantry staples like marinated artichokes, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, plum tomatoes, garlic, capers, kalamata olives, and more! An easy recipe for a weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. #dinnerecipe #pantrystaples #pastarecipe

Potential substitutions:

  • Fresh tomatoes — sub with canned tomatoes, whole peeled if possible
  • Olives — you can use any type of olive you have on hand, just make sure there are no pits! You can also use jarred olives
  • Shallots — sub with whatever kind of onion you have in the pantry
  • Roasted red peppers in a jar — a great substitution if you don’t have tomatoes, olives, or capers. They add a different type of flavor, but it’s good!
  • Orzo — use whatever shape of pasta you have on hand. It’s great with fettuccine, rigatoni, gnocchi, and farfalle. I’ve used gluten-free pasta, too!
  • Artichokes — if you don’t have them, it’s not the end of the world! Use olive oil for the first step instead.
  • Meat — if you want to incorporate meat, I love using Italian sausage or pancetta. But even a grilled chicken breast is a great addition to this meal.
  • Pesto — you can also incorporate a jar of pesto into the sauce. Add it in with the olives and capers.
Easy Weeknight Dinner: My Pantry Pasta Recipe! Made with Mediterranean flavors and pantry staples like marinated artichokes, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, plum tomatoes, garlic, capers, kalamata olives, and more! An easy recipe for a weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. #dinnerecipe #pantrystaples #pastarecipe

I’m also working on a blog post all about my favorite pantry staples, so be on the lookout for that! Have you been enjoying my pantry staples recipes lately? I figure since we’re all stuck at home and relying on whatever is in the pantry, it’s time to get creative.

Looking for even more easy weeknight recipes? Check out these:
Photography & styling by Jojotastic.

Behind The Blog

Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.

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2 Comments

  1. 4.17.23
    Sara said:

    This looks great! How much orzo is needed for this recipe?

    • 4.25.23
      Joanna said:

      Hi! I usually measure with my heart :) sometimes that’s the whole box/bag sometimes it’s half and I adjust from there. I hope that helps!