Struggle Meals Season 5 Episode 9 Pantry Pasta

Struggle Meals season 5 episode 9, titled Pantry Pasta, explores how to make a budget-friendly and delicious pasta dish with items commonly found in your pantry. Chef and host Frankie Celenza delves into how to elevate simple pantry staples like canned tomatoes and pasta into a mouth-watering and affordable meal.

The episode starts with Celenza giving a brief rundown of the ingredients he will be using in the dish. He then proceeds to the pantry where he rummages through ingredients, pulling out cans of tomatoes, garlic, onions, and pasta. He notes that these items are readily available in most people's pantries and are incredibly versatile.

Celenza then dives into the cooking process, starting with a quick lesson on how to properly chop an onion. He stresses the importance of uniform chopping to ensure even cooking. He then moves on to the garlic, and once again emphasizes the importance of properly chopping the garlic for optimal flavor.

With the onions and garlic sautéing in a pan, Celenza moves on to the canned tomatoes. He explains that he prefers using whole canned tomatoes, as they tend to have a more robust flavor than diced tomatoes. He pours the contents of a can into the pan and crushes the tomatoes using his hands.

As the sauce simmers, Celenza moves on to the pasta. He notes that any type of pasta can be used for this recipe and chooses to use penne. He also discusses the importance of properly salting the pasta water and introduces a trick for ensuring the pasta is properly cooked every time.

As the pasta cooks, Celenza returns to the tomato sauce and begins to add seasoning. He chooses to use red pepper flakes and oregano, but notes that any spices can be used depending on personal preference.

Once the pasta is cooked, Celenza strains it and adds it to the tomato sauce. He notes that if the pasta is slightly undercooked, it will continue to cook in the sauce and absorb the flavors. He then tops the dish with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese.

The final product is a beautiful and delicious pasta dish that can be made with ingredients found in most pantries. Celenza emphasizes that this dish is not only budget-friendly but also incredibly customizable. He encourages viewers to experiment with different spices and ingredients to make the dish their own.

Overall, Struggle Meals season 5 episode 9, Pantry Pasta, is a fantastic and informative episode that showcases how to make a delicious and budget-friendly pasta dish using simple pantry staples. Celenza's expert tips and techniques are incredibly helpful and make the cooking process easy and enjoyable. This episode is a must-see for anyone looking to create a tasty meal with minimal ingredients and on a budget.