Touched by Angel Hair

If you keep a moderately stocked pantry and refrigerator, you won’t need to make even one stop to throw together this meal. In a pot large enough to hold a pound of pasta, combine 4 cans chicken broth (or, for a vegetarian meal, vegetable broth) and 2 cans of a tomato-basil soup. Bring to a boil. While you are waiting, toss together a salad from packaged lettuces and grate some Parmesan cheese. When the soup boils, toss in 1 pound of angel hair pasta and a handful of fresh basil leaves, if you have them. Stir so the pasta does not stick to the pan.

It takes only moments for angel hair to cook, so turn off the heat while it’s still slightly al dente. Don’t drain the pasta; the starch in the pasta makes the soup thick and flavorful. Serve pasta with plenty of soup in large bowls and top with the cheese. A salad and ice cream for dessert complete this one-pot meal.

JULIE SPIGELMAN

Agoura Hills

How do you get dinner on the table fast? We mean real fast. The rules: No more than one stop on the way home, no more than 10 minutes’ prep time. The rest is up to you. To share your idea, write to The Last Minute, Los Angeles Times Food Section, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Or e-mail us at food@latimes.com.