Good morning. Simple pasta dishes are great a staple for feeding yourself throughout the week.

• But deciding what kind of pasta to make can often be a roadblock, so, we’re diving into the pasta decision making process as an example, but know that this mental model can be used for deciding on dinner regardless of the dish.

Lifestyle protocol🤯

Pasta dinner for any preference

This pasta decision tree helps you cut through the indecision by honing in on three options: Do you want something fast? Something wholesome? Or are you after a comforting dish?

1. Quick Route – When time is tight

Reach for something like gnocchi or fresh pasta that cooks in minutes. Pair it with quick-cooking proteins (like sausage or shrimp), a handful of greens, and punchy aromatics.

2. Healthy Route – When you want something lighter

Go for high-protein options and lean dairy. Think grilled chicken, lots of vegetables, and a creamy-feeling sauce made from nonfat milk, cheddar powder, or low-fat sour cream. Satisfying, but still on the lighter side.

3. Comfort Route – When you need something satisfying

Start with aromatics, add sausage or another rich protein, canned tomatoes, a splash of cream, and finish with plenty of cheese. This is your cozy, end-of-day wind-down meal.

No matter which route you take, these pathways simplify dinner by helping you quickly match your craving with a method.

Want to see it in action? Check out Ethan’s video on weeknight pastas here.

RECIPE RECOMMENDATIONS ✅

Weeknight pasta recipes

Looking for other pasta recipes to make? Check out the collection here, which has dishes that fit into each of the three options:

FOOD TRENDS 🚀

Celebrity spirits

Why does every celebrity have an alcohol brand?

Ever since George Clooney sold his tequila company, Casamigos, for $1 billion in 2017, many celebrities have taken interest in the spirits business.

Tequila was a popular choice for celebrity brands since it requires less aging time than other spirits, which we’ve covered in the past, but now it seems every spirit category is following suit:

• Chris Stapleton is peddling whisky, Ryan Reynolds has stayed loyal to gin, and Lil Wayne is in the rum business, to name a few.

Why?

Just like we touched on with celebrity cookie recipes — our deep connection to celebrity culture naturally extends into their culinary world. This isn't surprising, as food is deeply personal.

• We experience flavors not only through taste and smell, but through the powerful lens of emotions, memories, and cultural significance. It’s the human element of flavor in action.

READER Q&A 🧠

Refrigerating oils?

A: It depends on the oil, but refrigeration is probably overkill.

Some unrefined or specialty oils benefit from refrigeration to help preserve their quality. This includes oils like extra virgin olive, avocado, sesame, truffle, and walnut—these are more sensitive to degradation over time.

Oils can go rancid when exposed to:

1. Light

2. Heat

3. Oxygen

To protect your oils, store them in a cool, dark place—not next to the stove, and you should be good to go. If you have an especially expensive or aromatic oil, you can toss it into the fridge to extend it’s quality, just know you might need to thaw it every time before use (some oils like EVOO solidy at cold temps).

What about common cooking oils?

• Olive oil: No need to refrigerate, but keep it in a cool, dark cabinet. Avoid storing near the stove.

• Canola oil or neutral oils: Stable at room temperature. Store in a dark pantry or cupboard.

• Coconut oil: Best stored at room temp. It solidifies below 76°F but stays fresh either way.

WINNING READER SUBMISSION 🏆

Glazed chicken salad

This week’s dinner winner is Louis G., who made warm haskap-glazed chicken over strawberries and butter lettuce, with a honey balsamic shallot vinaigrette. Looks delicious!

Reply with your best home-cooked food photos for a chance to win & be featured!

EXTRA HELPINGS 🍽️

A read: Champagne of water

In a minute or less: How to spend less time doing dishes

What we’re watching: Why Americans love iced coffee

Food science: Maillard reaction

The Cook Well app is happening: Get in on early subscriptions

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