Fabulous Farm Girl

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One Pot Pasta

Want to make your own fast & easy One Pot Pasta?-- This authentic homemade Italian recipe is done in 20 minutes & feeds 4-6 people! By FabulousFarmGirl.com.It’s 5:30, everyone’s hungry and there’s nothing for dinner. Sound familiar? Don’t panic. Thanks to a recent copy of Martha Stewart magazine I have discovered an amazing Italian secret: one pot pasta. If you have a few basic ingredients, a pot and about 20 minutes, you’ve got dinner. And a delicious dinner at that! Resist the urge to call Italy and demand to know why you weren’t told sooner.

Want to make your own fast & easy One Pot Pasta?-- This authentic homemade Italian recipe is done in 20 minutes & feeds 4-6 people! By FabulousFarmGirl.com.The original recipe calls for just onion and garlic sliced very thin, some fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, a little olive oil and 12 oz. of linguine. I have never used linguine but it seems like almost any style of pasta will work. I’ve used rotelli, mini penne, shells, just whatever I had on hand and they’ve all worked great. You simply throw all the ingredients into a pan of water, toss frequently for a whole 9 minutes and it’s done. Did I mention no draining? And that it makes it’s own sauce? And that it’s endlessly customizable? How have I gone my whole life without knowing about this? Seriously, Italy?! Seriously?!

Want to make your own fast & easy One Pot Pasta?-- This authentic homemade Italian recipe is done in 20 minutes & feeds 4-6 hungry people! Viva L'Italia!The first time I make a recipe I always follow it exactly just so I know what I’m dealing with. And in it’s original form this one-pot pasta is divine. I have since made lots of variations of it and a little creativity has made it even better and a different meal every time. Do you like mushrooms? Add six or seven. Don’t have cherry tomatoes, cut up a couple romas or a beefsteak. Or leave them out. Sometimes we add spinach, or zucchini, or Kalamata olives, or red peppers or any combination of those. A few splashes of milk or cream and a little butter turns it into an Alfredo pasta. Yum!
We also like to add a protein (chicken, steak, salami, bacon, shrimp) but always add it, already cooked, at the end of the cooking process. This is a great use for leftover meat in your fridge (last night we used a couple of leftover bratwurst) and I often freeze small portions of cooked meat just to have on hand for this recipe. That keeps the one pot pasta to just one pot which is kinda the point.

Want to make your own fast & easy One Pot Pasta?-- This authentic homemade Italian recipe is done in 20 minutes & feeds 4-6 hungry people! Viva L'Italia!Everyone in my family devours this pasta. Last night one of my teenagers ate two bowls and the other one ate three. It’s so easy that all three of my boys are learning how to make it (and having lots of opinions about what to add). It will definitely be added to their “going off to college” recipe books although by then they should all have the recipe memorized. Buon Appetito!

One Pot Pasta
4 1/2 c. water
12 oz. linguine
12 oz. cherry tomatoes-halved
1 onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4-1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional, I like 1/4 tsp.)
3 sprigs fresh basil (about 15 leaves) cut into ribbons
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. salt
pepper (a few generous grinds or 1/2 tsp.)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Combine water, pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red-pepper flakes, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper in a large, straight-sided skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn heat down to medium, stirring and turning pasta frequently with tongs until pasta is al dente and water has nearly evaporated, about 9 minutes. Toss in a little more olive oil before serving if desired.
Serve with lots of Parmesan cheese for sprinkling.
Serves 6 generously (unless you have teenage boys, then it serves 5).



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    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      I’m so glad! Hard-working teachers like you deserve an easy dinner when they get home. And a raise but that’s another story:)

      Reply

  2. Sky says

    Wow… I’ve seen pics of this posted, but never really known what was going on with them! Pretty sure this post just changed my life 🙂 Can’t wait to try!

    Reply

  3. fabulous Farm Girl says

    You’re gonna love this Sky and yes it will change your life! It is hands down the most requested dinner at my house and it can be a different dish every time depending on what you add. It makes enough that there should be leftovers but there never is at my table. Enjoy!
    –Leah

    Reply

  4. Jenny says

    Brilliant – I am in desperate need of easy to make, healthy and delicious dinners. We’re just too busy and have been relying far too much on takeout this winter. I’m going to print this out and give it a go this week! [ stopping by from SITS 🙂 ]

    Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Hi Jenny–thanks for stopping by. Brilliant is the perfect word for this dish. It’s fast to make, fast to clean up and totally customizable. Plus it’s delish. Not many dinner recipes can claim all that. I’m excited for you to try it so do come back and let me know what you think.
      –Leah

      Reply

  7. Rena Bucad says

    This recipe could be life changing if my kids weren’t so picky. But I am going to pin it for some day down the road – when their taste buds grow up.

    Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Hi Rena–Thanks for stopping by. Picky eaters are the frustration of parents everywhere. But I suggest you try this recipe anyway because even picky eaters will surprise you sometimes. And if they don’t eat it at least it only took you 20 minutes to make:)
      –Leah

      Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      Thanks Yvonne–nothing makes a birthday better than having your teenage boys make you a delicious dinner and knowing they are competent enough to do it completely on there own. Love this recipe and i know you will too. Come back soon!
      –Leah

      Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      You said it Kari! I have made this pasta so many times and with so many variations but it still delights me how easy it is. And delicious too. Never made a batch we didn’t love. Thanks for stopping by!
      –Leah

      Reply

  15. Topaz says

    This looks pretty easy and yummy. I pinned it. I love simple one pot meals and am always on the look out for them. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from SITS! It’s nice to meet you!

    Reply

    • fabulous Farm Girl says

      Nice to meet you too, Topaz and thanks for stopping by. Nothing beats a one-pot meal except an under 30-minute one-pot meal. I’m always on the look-out too and this one is the best I’ve ever found. Enjoy!
      –Leah

      Reply

    • Fabulous Farm Girl says

      You’re so right Jennifer. Especially to the farm kid who happens to be on dish-duty. At our house this recipe wins both best one-pot meal and best 30-minute meal. You’re going to love it! Have a great week.
      –Leah

      Reply

    • Leah says

      You’re welcome Jaclyn! If you’re Italian and have never heard of this amazing recipe then I guess this Irish girl shouldn’t feel to bad. LOL! Come back and let me know what you think but I already know you’re gonna love it. Have a great week!
      –Leah

      Reply

  19. Carolyn says

    I’m married to and Italian and he loved this! I apprecite your comment about accurately following a recipe the first time. Unless something sounds really odd i thing we owe it to the creator/author to try their version. I write any suggested changes or comments on the original.
    You site is refreshingly real and down to earth.

    Reply