It’s Matt Damon’s Birthday—Here’s His Go-To 3-Ingredient Pasta Dinner

No matter how experienced you are in the kitchen, sometimes you just need a fast, no-fuss meal. If we’re being honest, our weeknights rely heavily on these kinds of throw-together meals. And we’re in good company—Sarah Jessica Parker, Stanley Tucci, and even Ina Garten have their own genius ways of spinning three humble ingredients into comfort food classics. It’s all about working smarter, not harder. 

And, Matt Damon is right there with us. With his hectic life as an A-list actor, screenwriter, producer, and father of four, he knows the value of a quick, stress-free meal. When it’s his turn to cook, he reaches for a fast, easy, and family-approved favorite: his signature three-ingredient pasta dinner that always delivers.

The 3-Ingredient Meal Matt Damon Makes for His Family 

In an interview with People, Damon admitted he’s no gourmet chef, but when it comes to feeding his family, he’s mastered what he calls the “functional stuff.” In fact, much like Bruce Springsteen, his cooking inspiration came from his four kids, who weren’t always so keen on eating their veggies. 

Over the years, the girl dad has discovered one winning combo that never fails. It’s fast, filling, and even includes a serious nutritional boost. 

“I cook pasta with butter and steam broccoli,” Damon shared. “It’s all about getting enough healthy food in front of them every three hours.”

Between the pasta boiling and the broccoli steaming—in the microwave or in a steamer basket—this is about a 20-minute meal from start to finish. And, all the ingredients are easily accessible. If you keep a bag of broccoli in the freezer and a box of pasta in the pantry, you’ll never be without the humble, yet satisfying feast.

Like many parents, Damon has faced the challenge of getting his kids to eat their veggies, but he has stuck to a strategy that’s led to some success: start ‘em young. The actor shared that his mom always had a salad on the dinner table growing up, so he grew accustomed to healthy eating early on. Damon and his wife, Luciana, have carried that tradition into their own home, introducing their daughters to veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and even Brussels sprouts at an early age. 

“Luckily, I found out all three of my youngest girls love broccoli. There are times where I can’t get them to eat protein or a little piece of fish because they are going crazy over the broccoli,” the actor revealed. “Sometimes they’re the ones bribing me to eat more of my vegetables.”

So, whether you’re trying to please a picky palate, or just whip up a quick, no-brainer meal, take this meal hack out of Matt Damon’s book. Buttered noodles and broccoli is the kind of comfort dinner we can get behind any day of the week.