As the message title says, I like cooking, so some of this may not be terribly appropriate, but it might.

Basics -- learn how to do a tomato sauce.

Chop onions and fry gently (with garlic if you like)
Splash of wine (optional)
Add tin of tomatoes, chopped (or buy the chopped sort!)
Add herbs (oregano is best -- the dried stuff works unlike most other herbs)

You now have a base. This can be added to pasta. Fry some minced beef and add to the base. Bolognaise

Or bacon
or other veg (peppers, mushrooms)

The veggie ones take less time to cook than the pasta does. I've served the bacon one (probably had some olives in as well) to friends and got loads of compliments.

and don't worry about guests

Unless it's a 'dinner party' (which is very silly/stressful if you don't like cooking) they're there to be with you. The food is an incedental. Keep it simple and tasty. And make sure the wine's good!

Hope that helps a bit

Steve