I always enjoy making Italian One Pot Pasta when time is short. I combine al dente spaghetti with juicy cherry tomatoes, garlic, and thinly sliced onions, all pooled in olive oil and broth. The blend of simple ingredients creates an enticing dish with just the right kick from red pepper flakes and fresh basil.

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I’ve always been on the hunt for a fast yet delicious dinner and this one pot pasta recipe is a keeper. I discovered it when I was searching for simple italian pasta recipes that don’t skimp on flavor.

All you do is toss 12 oz spaghetti, a pint of halved cherry tomatoes, 4 cloves garlic, and a small thinly sliced onion into a pot with 4 tbsp olive oil. Then add 4 cups water or chicken broth along with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes if you’re into a little kick.

Within just 20 minutes you have a vibrant dish that’s far from ordinary. I like to finish it off with fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for that extra burst of flavor.

This sauceless pasta recipe is ideal for a busy night when time is short but taste is key.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it’s super quick and easy, which means I can have dinner ready in no time. I like that it fills my kitchen with amazing smells, and the mix of garlic, basil, and Parmesan just makes my mouth water. Plus, it’s a one pot meal so I don’t have a huge mess to clean up afterwards.

This pasta recipe is seriously one of the best because it only takes like 20 minutes to whip up a really tasty dinner in one pot. All you gotta do is toss your spaghetti, halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and sliced onions into a big pot with olive oil, water (or chicken broth), salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring it all to a boil, then let it simmer until the pasta is al dente. Just remember to stir a few times so nothing sticks and add a little extra water if it gets too thick. When it’s all cooked, mix in a handful of fresh basil, take it off the heat, and serve it hot with a pile of grated Parmesan cheese on top. Its simplicity and flavor always reminds me why I love cooking this dish for my family.

Ingredients

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Spaghetti: mainly carbohydrates that give you energy and helps keep you full, simple yet filling.
Cherry Tomatoes: these give a sweet tang and burst of vitamin C while also add a bit of fibre.
Garlic: small but mighty, adding a strong flavor and packing in antioxidants to boost your meal.
Olive Oil: provides healthy fats and helps blend the taste of spices and herbs in the dish.
Parmesan Cheese: a sprinkle of salt and a nutty edge, plus a little bit of protein.

Ingredient Quantities

12 oz spaghetti

1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, sliced thin

4 tbsp olive oil

4 cups water or chicken broth

1 tsp salt (or more to taste)

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (if you like it a bit spicy)

Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

How to Make this

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1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.

2. Toss in the sliced onion and minced garlic and let ’em cook until soft, about 2-3 mins.

3. Add the halved cherry tomatoes along with the spaghetti so they all start mingling together.

4. Pour in the water or chicken broth and stir in the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

5. Raise the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, stirring a couple of times so the pasta doesnt stick.

6. Once it boils, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 10-12 mins, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.

7. Keep an eye on it and add a bit extra water if it starts to get too thick before the pasta is cooked.

8. When the pasta is ready, stir through a handful of fresh basil leaves.

9. Remove from heat, then serve the pasta hot sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese.

10. Enjoy your quick one pot pasta dinner with the whole family!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot
2. Stove or cooktop
3. Chef’s knife
4. Cutting board
5. Wooden spoon for stirring
6. Measuring spoons and a measuring cup
7. Grater for Parmesan cheese
8. Serving bowl or plate

FAQ

Q: How long does this one pot pasta take to make?

A: It usually takes around 20-25 minutes from start to finish, depending on your stove.

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta instead of spaghetti?

A: Sure, you can! Just be mindful that different pasta shapes may need slightly different cooking times.

Q: What if I don't have cherry tomatoes?

A: You can use any small tomatoes, but they might not be as sweet. Alternatively, you can add diced regular tomatoes.

Q: Can I add other veggies to this dish?

A: Absolutely, adding veggies like spinach or bell peppers is a great option if you want more color and nutrition.

Q: What should I do to adjust the spice level?

A: If you dont like it too spicy, just reduce or leave out the red pepper flakes.

Q: Do I need to stir continuously while it cooks?

A: Not all the time, just stir occasionally to prevent sticking, especially toward the end of cooking.

ONE POT PASTA Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you cant find spaghetti, try using linguini or fettuccine instead. They’ll work just as good in the recipe.
If cherry tomatoes arent available, grape tomatoes or even diced regular tomatoes (seeded) can be used.
Not into chicken broth? Vegetable broth or even water with a splash of lemon can do the trick.
If you dont have olive oil on hand, you can swap it with sunflower oil or grapeseed oil though it might slightly change the flavor.
Should you run out of Parmesan cheese, try using Pecorino Romano or even a bit of shredded mozzarella as a tasty alternative.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you keep an eye on the liquid levels while the pasta cooks. If it seems to thicken up too much or stick, add extra water or broth slowly so everything stays smooth.
2. Don’t overcook the aromatics early on. Let the garlic and onions get soft and start browning just a bit for extra flavor, but careful not to burn them or they’ll taste bitter.
3. If you’re into a little sweetness to balance the tomatoes’ acidity, try adding a tiny pinch of sugar when they go in. It might sound weird but it gives a nice mellow flavor to the dish.
4. Save some extra fresh basil and grated Parmesan to add a burst of flavor right before serving. It really makes a difference if you sprinkle them on after the pasta is off the heat instead of cooking them in.

ONE POT PASTA Recipe

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

461

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large pot
2. Stove or cooktop
3. Chef’s knife
4. Cutting board
5. Wooden spoon for stirring
6. Measuring spoons and a measuring cup
7. Grater for Parmesan cheese
8. Serving bowl or plate

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, sliced thin
4 tbsp olive oil
4 cups water or chicken broth
1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (if you like it a bit spicy)
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Directions

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
Toss in the sliced onion and minced garlic and let 'em cook until soft, about 2-3 mins.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes along with the spaghetti so they all start mingling together.
Pour in the water or chicken broth and stir in the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Raise the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, stirring a couple of times so the pasta doesnt stick.
Once it boils, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 10-12 mins, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
Keep an eye on it and add a bit extra water if it starts to get too thick before the pasta is cooked.
When the pasta is ready, stir through a handful of fresh basil leaves.
Remove from heat, then serve the pasta hot sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese.
Enjoy your quick one pot pasta dinner with the whole family!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.