What is pasta and what is a simple pasta recipe?

Pasta is an Italian-style staple food usually made from wheat flour and water, shaped into forms like spaghetti, penne, fusilli, or lasagna sheets, then cooked in boiling salted water and served with sauce.

If you’re asking what pasta to make, a simple best pick is spaghetti aglio e olio: cook spaghetti, sauté sliced garlic in olive oil, add chili flakes if you like heat, toss with pasta water, salt, parsley, and grated Parmesan or pecorino if desired.