Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and, oh shoot, you’ve promised your significant other a romantic, candlelit dinner. And you agreed to cook! You fool! What are you going to make?!

Well, look no further because we’ve got the recipe for you! There’s nothing more stereotypical for a date than pasta, and our world-renowned, Analy Chefs have come up with the perfect dish. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t involve red sauce (so your date won’t ruin his/her clothes if sauce is spilled!).

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups of grape tomatoes, halved
• However much pasta you feel like serving (maybe 2 cups dry? Although it depends on the type…)
• ¼ cup shallots (those weird onion things), diced
• ¼ cup garlic, minced (like diced, but finer)
• Salt and pepper
• 3-4 tablespoons of flour
• 2 ½ cups of unsweetened, plain almond milk
• Some olive oil

PROCEDURE:

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. In a large bowl, toss your tomatoes in a little bit of salt and olive oil. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place the tomatoes FACE UP on the tray. Pop ‘em in the oven for 20 minutes, and use this time to prepare the rest of the dish (efficiency!). When they are done, just set aside to cool.
2. Add some water to a large pot and bring to a boil on the stove. Plop in your pasta and cook for however long the package says (don’t ask me, I’m not a Pasta Expert). When ready, remove from the heat, drain, and cover.
3. While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce! In a saucepan over a medium-low heat, stir together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch each of salt and pepper, and the shallots and garlic. After 3-4 minutes, the mixture should become soft and exude a strong (though hopefully pleasant!) smell.
4. Whisk the flour into the shallot/garlic mixture. Once thoroughly combined, add in the almond milk and a little more salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer (or, as I call it, a “passive-aggressive boil”) and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes in order to thicken.
5. OPTIONAL STEP: If you want your pasta sauce to be extra creamy, you can put it in a blender and blend to the desired creaminess. After doing this, you would transfer back to the saucepan and bring back to a simmer until the desired thickness is reached.
6. If you’re happy with the sauce, mix in the pasta and tomatoes.
7. ENJOY! (Remember that presentation is everything, and your date deserves nothing but the best, so make it pretty!)