The One-Pot Pasta dish is a weeknight hero, delivering all the comfort of a rich, creamy pasta with the added bonus of virtually no cleanup.1 The secret lies in cooking the pasta directly in the sauce and liquid, allowing the starch released from the noodles to naturally thicken and emulsify the sauce into a luxurious coating.2 It’s fast, flavorful, and incredibly versatile!
Here is a popular and classic recipe for One-Pot Tomato and Basil Pasta.
🍅 Ingredients
| Category | Item | Quantity | Notes |
| Pantry | Linguine or Spaghetti | 12 oz (approx. 340g) | Long, thin pasta works well, but any shape can be used. |
| Water or Vegetable Broth | 4.5 cups | Broth adds more depth of flavor. | |
| Extra-Virgin Olive Oil | 2 Tbsp | ||
| Coarse Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper | To taste | ||
| Red Pepper Flakes (optional) | 1/2 tsp | For a little kick. | |
| Produce | Cherry or Grape Tomatoes | 12 oz (approx. 340g) | Halved or quartered if large. |
| Yellow Onion | 1 medium | Thinly sliced. | |
| Garlic | 4 cloves | Thinly sliced. | |
| Fresh Basil Leaves | 2 sprigs + torn leaves for garnish | Fresh basil is essential for flavor. | |
| Dairy/Cheese | Freshly Grated Parmesan | For serving | Optional, but highly recommended. |
📝 Instructions (Ready in ~20 Minutes!)
1. Combine All Ingredients
- In a large, straight-sided skillet or Dutch oven, combine the pasta, tomatoes, sliced onion, sliced garlic, red-pepper flakes (if using), basil sprigs, olive oil, salt, pepper, and water/broth.3
- Ensure the liquid mostly covers the pasta; if using long noodles like linguine, you may need to break them in half or let them soften slightly to fit them flat.4
2. Boil and Simmer
- Place the skillet over high heat and bring the mixture to a rapid boil.5
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-high to maintain a steady, vigorous simmer.
3. Cook and Stir
- Cook the mixture for approximately 9–12 minutes.
- Crucially, stir and turn the pasta frequently with tongs.6 This prevents the noodles from sticking to each other or the bottom of the pan, and helps them cook evenly in the thickening sauce.7
- Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente (cooked through but still firm to the bite) and the liquid has mostly reduced into a creamy, luscious sauce that coats the noodles.8
4. Season and Serve
- Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Taste the pasta and season with any additional salt and pepper if needed.9
- Discard the basil sprigs.
- Divide the pasta among serving bowls, garnish with a drizzle of extra olive oil, torn fresh basil leaves, and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.10
- Serve immediately.
✨ Customization Tips
- Add Protein: Brown ground meat (like lean beef or Italian sausage) in the pot with a little olive oil before adding the other ingredients.11 Cook until no longer pink, then proceed with the recipe.
- Make it Creamy: For an extra decadent dish, stir in about 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half a minute or two before the pasta is fully cooked.12
- Boost the Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach (add near the end), or chopped bell peppers make excellent additions.
