If you’re after a meal that combines the ease of cooking with the joy of rich flavors, look no further than this delightful One Pan Pasta. It’s a magical dish where all the ingredients mingle together in a single pan to create a harmonious blend of taste, convenience, and satisfaction.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Preparation: Everything goes into a single pan, which means less clean-up and more time to enjoy with family.
Bursting with Flavor: Fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes and basil infuse the pasta with vibrant tastes.
Customizable Delight: Easily adaptable with variations to suit dietary needs or preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this One Pan Pasta lies in its simplicity and the freshness of its ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in delivering a punch of flavor and texture, making this dish a delightful harmony that comes together in no time.

Linguine: Its shape is perfect for this dish as it clings to the sauce beautifully.
Cherry Tomatoes: These offer a burst of sweetness and juicy texture.
Baby Spinach: Adds a touch of earthiness and a vibrant color.
Onion: Sliced finely to melt into the olive oil, adding depth to your sauce.
Garlic: Provides a fragrant, aromatic base that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Fresh Basil: A handful provides a burst of fresh aroma and taste.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This brings everything together with its rich, fruity tone.
Crushed Red Pepper: Just a hint of heat to balance the sweetness of tomatoes.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of your ingredients.
Parmesan Cheese: Optional, but it gives a nutty, umami touch when stirred in at the end.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Feeling creative or need to adjust to what’s in your pantry? One Pan Pasta is wonderfully flexible. You can tweak it to satisfy all sorts of dietary needs or personal taste adventures!

Gluten-Free: Substitute with a gluten-free pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly, without losing any tastiness.
Vegan Option: Skip the Parmesan and sprinkle nutritional yeast for a cheesy savor that’s entirely plant-based.
Creamy Twist: Add a splash of milk in place of some water for a creamier texture that envelops each strand of pasta.
Vegetable Swap: Not a fan of spinach? Feel free to mix in kale or arugula instead.

How to Make One Pan Pasta

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients

In your large deep pan, combine linguine with cherry tomatoes, spinach, sliced onions, garlic, and basil. Ensure your vegetables are evenly sliced and ready to complement the pasta beautifully.

Step 2: Combine and Cook

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the combined ingredients and sprinkle with crushed red pepper and salt. Pour in the boiling water and bring everything to a lively boil. Let it simmer for 8-10 minutes on medium, stirring now and then, to let the pasta absorb the vibrant liquid and turn it into a scrumptious sauce.

Pro Tips for Making One Pan Pasta

Perfect Stirring: Stir the pasta gently to avoid breaking the linguine, ensuring even cooking and sauce absorption.
Timing is Everything: Cook the pasta until just al dente for a delightful texture that holds sauce beautifully.
Flavor Layering: Add fresh basil and parmesan at the end for an aromatic finish and creamy depth.
Ingredient Freshness: Use fresh basil and ripened cherry tomatoes for the best flavor infusion.

How to Serve One Pan Pasta

Garnishes

Top your One Pan Pasta with additional freshly chopped basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for that final touch that elevates both presentation and taste.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs perfectly with a crisp garden salad or a warm loaf of crusty bread, which can also be used to mop up every delectable bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

Get creative by serving your pasta in individual bowls for a cozy, intimate meal or on a large platter for a family-style gathering, letting everyone serve themselves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days, ready for you to enjoy later.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze your One Pan Pasta in individual portions, making it easy to grab a quick homemade meal anytime. It will keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat your pasta gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed, to restore its saucy texture.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for this One Pan Pasta recipe?

Absolutely! While linguine is ideal, you can experiment with other pasta shapes like spaghetti or fettuccine for similar results.
What if I don’t have fresh basil on hand?

Not to worry! You can use dried basil instead, although the flavor will be less intense. Alternatively, substitute with fresh parsley for a different twist.
Is there a way to make this recipe less spicy?

Certainly! Simply reduce or omit the crushed red pepper to tone down the spiciness without compromising the overall flavor.
Can I add protein to this One Pan Pasta?

Yes, you can. Adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas can enhance the protein content and make this dish more filling.

Final Thoughts

This One Pan Pasta dish is truly a treasure of simplicity and deliciousness. I can’t wait for you to experience the ease and joy of making and eating it. Dive into a meal that brings smiles and satisfies deeply!

One Pan Pasta Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 54 reviews

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Pasta, Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Print Recipe

Description

This One Pan Pasta recipe is a quick, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that combines fresh cherry tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and basil all cooked together with pasta in a single skillet for minimal cleanup and maximum deliciousness.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

8 ounces linguine

Vegetables

1 pint cherry tomatoes (sliced in half)
2 ounces baby spinach
1 small onion (finely sliced)
3 garlic cloves (finely sliced)
1 handful fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped)

Liquids and Oils

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cups boiling water

Seasonings

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cheese (Optional)

2 ounces parmesan cheese (grated)

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Instructions

Prepare the ingredients: Place all the ingredients aside from the boiling water and cheese in the work area to ensure everything is ready for cooking.
Combine in a skillet: In a large deep pan, add the linguine, cherry tomatoes, spinach, sliced onions, garlic, and chopped basil. Drizzle the olive oil on top and season with crushed red pepper and salt.
Add water and cook: Pour boiling water into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally with tongs to prevent sticking.
Simmer until sauce thickens: Cook for 8-10 minutes until most of the water is absorbed and a sauce begins to form around the pasta, stirring occasionally.
Finish and serve: Remove from heat. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and additional basil if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Recipe adaptation from Martha Stewart.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
For gluten-free, substitute with your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Vegan option: skip parmesan or use nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.
For creamier sauce, replace a small amount of water with milk.
Feel free to swap vegetables based on preference or availability.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 2 ounces pasta)
Calories: 367 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 551 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 51 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 14 g
Cholesterol: 10 mg