Pasta Mama
Craving that famous Pasta Mama from Hugo’s in West Hollywood? Now, you don’t have to drive miles—or shell out $18 a plate! You can make this quick, easy, and incredibly affordable dish right at home in under 20 minutes. At just $1.25 per serving, it’s perfect for a budget-friendly meal that still feels gourmet.
Servings: 2
Calories: 307kcal
Cost: $2.50
Ingredients
- 5 oz pasta (dry or fresh—spaghetti or fettuccini work great)
- 2 eggs beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground oregano
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp seasoning salt
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or butter)
- 2 - 3 tbsp reserved pasta water (or just water)
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, or use leftover pasta if you have it on hand.
- While the pasta is boiling, mix all your seasonings in a small bowl and beat the eggs in another bowl. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil (or melt butter) in a 10-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and the entire seasoning mix (should equal about 1 teaspoon total). Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the parsley and immediately toss in the hot pasta straight from the cooking water. Add 1 tablespoon of pasta water to the pan. (If using leftover pasta, make sure it’s reheated first!)
- Pour the beaten eggs over the pasta. Quickly stir and toss with tongs to coat the pasta evenly. The goal is to coat the pasta with the egg mixture, not cook scrambled eggs. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, if it starts to look dry.
- Finish with Parmesan. Toss everything together for another 30 seconds until the cheese melts and coats the pasta.
- Serve immediately and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home!
Notes
Customize It! Feel free to add extra protein like bacon or turkey sausage (just like Hugo’s "Pasta Papa"). Or mix in veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition.
Leftovers? If you have leftover cooked pasta, this recipe works beautifully. Just be sure to reheat the pasta first to help everything blend together.
Pro Tip: If you prefer a richer flavor, swap olive oil for butter or add a splash of heavy cream when tossing the pasta.
Nutrition
Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 406mg | Potassium: 268mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 601IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg
