One Pot Pasta
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The most simple and flavorful one pot pasta dinner with a short ingredient list. So good and so easy with minimal clean up!
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why i love this one pot pasta recipe
- Perfect weeknight dinner. With one pot to clean up and 5 min prep time, this no-fuss pasta dinner could not get any easier, perfect to keep in your back pocket for those busy weeknights between homework and soccer pick up.
- Great for company. Not only does this come together lightning fast but this is also fancy (and impressive) enough to serve to company. They don’t have to know how easy this really is!
- Short ingredient list. The ingredient list is short, simple and budget-friendly. Not to mention, most of the ingredients are already pantry staples.
What exactly is One Pot Pasta
One pot pasta or one pan pasta is an easy pasta dish where the uncooked pasta cooks alongside everything else – meat, vegetables, herbs and seasonings – in a single pan. As the dish simmers, the starch from the pasta will help transform some of the leftover pasta water into the most lovely saucy consistency, coating the spaghetti so perfectly.
tips and tricks for success
- Use a heavy pot. A heavy bottom pot, such as a Dutch oven, is ideal here for ample space for long pastas (such as spaghetti) and even heat distribution.
- Fresh basil is best. Although you can certainly substitute dried herbs in a pinch, fresh basil is ideal here, delivering the best kind of flavor.
- Halve the recipe. For smaller portions to serve 2 people, this recipe can easily be halved as needed.
- Stir, baby, stir. Be sure to keep an eye on the pasta, stirring as needed, to ensure that everything cooks evenly and to prevent sticking.
- Freshly grated cheese goes a long way. While pre-grated Parmesan cheese will save a few minutes in the kitchen, freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or domestic Parmesan is highly recommended. This gives the favorited rich, nutty flavors, creating a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Add your finishing touches with a drizzle of high quality extra virgin olive oil, adding a smoother, silkier texture and preventing the pasta from sticking and drying out.
- Mix it up. Use chicken or vegetable broth in place of water (or use half and half) for additional flavor, try different veggies (ex. zucchini for tomatoes) or sub a different kind of pasta such as fettuccine or linguine.
what to serve with one pot pasta
tools for this recipe
Dutch oven
One Pot Pasta: Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! The beauty of this recipe is that the spaghetti cooks alongside the rest of the ingredients for a true one pot meal.
Yes! Pastas with a similar cook time such as fettuccine or linguine can be used in place of spaghetti.
Pre-packaged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can hinder their ability to melt smoothly. Freshly grated cheese is best, adding a handful at a time for a smooth consistency.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days, adding a splash of water as needed when reheating.
One Pot Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cups halved grape tomatoes
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 4 ½ cups water
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat, combine spaghetti, sausage, onion, tomatoes, basil, garlic and water; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through and liquid has reduced, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan.
- Serve immediately, drizzled with olive oil.
Did you make this recipe?
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P.S. All I have to do is add Parm. Reggiano to the top when readyto serve. Again Im glad I came across this recipe. TKS
I couldnt wait so went ahead and made it. All I can say is its DAMN GOOD. Will be great for a potluck fo sure today. TKS
Can you use leftover meatloaf in this recipe? Would like to try one pot meals. TKS Also can you use roasted red peppers also?
You can certainly add those in to taste but keep in mind of cooking time to ensure that the meatloaf is not overcooked.
VERY GOOD!!!!!!! Everyone loved it in my family 🙂
How would you fix this as a vegetarian dish? No heavy cream please.
Judi, you can omit the andouille sausage and add more veggies to taste. There is also no heavy cream in this recipe.
Cooked it this evening for dinner and it smells wonderful!!
Look awesome, I’ll try it.
Had this tonite for dinner, and my family LOVED it. Thank you soooo much for a quick easy week night dinner
Also made this last night. Surprised how good it was! Used rotini and pancetta instead and added some yellow zucchini noodles at the end. Seriously delicious!
I made this last night and it was so easy and good. I used smoked spicy chicken sausage as a substitute and sliced mushrooms in mine and it was so good. Cant wait to have this for lunch.
Made this tonight, was easy as it sounds and tasted great. Even my 14 mo daughter couldn’t get enough!
Just made this tonight. I added zucchini and mushrooms and used canned tomatoes….it was delicious!
Looks good! I read all the comments and looked at the pictures…is it safe to assume there is some broth still in the pot when the meal has finished cooking? I know it’s not a soup recipe but I have more misses than hits with new recipes.Thanks!
Cris, most of the liquid is actually soaked by all of the noodles. But feel free to add in more water as you see fit.
What else can I use besides sausage, I don’t like it…???
You can try substituting chicken.
Raw chicken breast ok? Or cook the chicken first? Thanks, looking forward to trying this!
Yesi, I recommend cooking the chicken first, setting it aside while the pasta cooks, and adding it in at the end.
This was delicious!!! Completely agree with the gal above me, it was so tasty and sooo light. Was amazing even without all of the calories from adding a yummy sauce and was so easy. Can’t wait to make more one pot recipes! Thanks!!
Made this for dinner tonight. Was so full of flavor yet very light tasting. Loved it and will definitely make it again.
What a delicious dish! It was so easy. My only variation is, I used chicken broth instead of water. Dinner was all gone, with them wanting more. A must keep recipe!
I was wondering, do you have to strain the pasta and everything else or leave the water in the bowl? wouldn’t that be too soup-like?
There’s no need to strain the pasta – that’s the beauty of this recipe!
Don’t know if it’s written or someone mentioned it, but how much water do I place into the pot?
The amount of water is indicated in the recipe.
I made this last night. My husband couldn’t get enough. Haha he was so excited to have it as leftovers for lunch today. My kids thought the andouille sausage was just a little too spicy but other than that they loved it. Thanks for a fast yummy dish!
I made this and loved how easy it was! I noticed the sauce “dried up” just as it sat on my plate while I was eating it. Since there isn’t a true sauce to this pasta, would you suggest adding some heavy cream (like your other one pot pasta recipe)?
Yes, absolutely. Heavy cream would work great on this dish as well. Or you can even add a little bit more water next time for a thin layer of sauce on the noodles.