This garlicky, saucy pasta filled with basil and tomatoes is made from start to finish in about 20 minutes; does dinner get much better than that?
Everything is combined in the pot along with the cooking water and it reduces down into a perfect one dish meal as it cooks. It sounds almost too good to be true, right?
I’ve seen versions of this recipe floating around online all summer and I finally had to try it. With rave reviews from everyone who has tried it, I still doubted that the dish would live up to the hype. I was wrong.
This pasta is unbelievably rich and creamy and saucy, without any cream or actual “sauce” in the recipe. The recipe just begs to be played with; there are countless variations already running through my mind.
20 Minute One Pot Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti linguini or fettuccine *
- 1 large onion very thinly sliced, about 2 cups
- 4 - 6 garlic cloves very thinly sliced
- 12 ounces or 3 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 10 basil leaves torn in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
- 4 1/2 cups water
- Topping: Freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese several basil leaves thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a straight sided large skillet or pot. Bring to a high boil and then reduce heat just enough to keep it boiling without splattering you as you stir and toss it constantly with tongs for about 8-10 minutes. The water and tomatoes will reduce down and the pasta will release starches that thicken it and make it creamy.
- Do not wait for all of the liquid to evaporate. Taste the pasta as it finishes cooking. When it has softened to your liking remove from the heat. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Scoop into serving bowls and top with fresh cheese and additional basil. Enjoy!
- * I used gluten free, brown rice fettuccine noodles and they worked just as well as traditional pasta.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: Ginger Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
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Jamie Lynn says
I made this last night and it was DELICIOUS. I too followed your recipe exactly, but added just a pinch more of red pepper flakes cuz I love me some heat to my pasta! So much flavor in such a little amount of time! I am definitely saving this for another busy weeknight. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. 🙂
caseybrooksnyc says
What brand of GF pasta do you recommend? I can't wait to try all of your amazing recipes!!
Mary says
Tinkyada is my favorite, whenever I can find it. I try lots of different ones all the time though!
Patricia says
I just made this for lunch. It is very good!
Anonymous says
I've made this several times and it always turns out great. Try adding some other things you like, such as zucchini or olives.
The Radford Six says
I am sick with the flu and was browsing through recipes. I saw this one, and sick or not, had to try it right away! The fam loved it! I made a few changes, because of what I had on hand – whole wheat egg noodles, a can of crushed tomatoes instead of fresh, some chopped yellow peppers and slices of some leftover turkey sausages added at the end. It was so delicious and just the warm, homey meal I needed to start feeling better. We will make this again, and again for sure!
Anonymous says
I made this and added shrimp and Mushrooms. Think I added more seasoning too, but it was good.
Frank says
I made this Friday, and it was a hit at my home. I will never go back to making pasta the conventional way. It is soooo delicious this way. I added cilantro to mine.
Gina says
Two Questions: 1) Does this work with whole wheat pasta? 2) Can you replace Chicken Broth for the water? or split it 50/50?
Mary says
Yes and yes!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Made this tonight – my hubby and I LOVED it!!! It was perfect.
Anonymous says
My mom used to make her goulash of macaroni, tomato,onion , garlic ground beef in a crockpot..it was so good..this would be the same concept..
Mary May-Skipski says
since there is no rinsing of the pasta, How much starch is in this? Do you have the Nutritional value on this dish?
Mary says
I don't track nutritional information, Mary. There are a number of online calculators that can handle that for you.
Sharon says
I am a cook and caterer, so sometimes I just want something easy and quick for home! I have now made this 3 times, with 3 different variations and I LOVE it! So does my family. I have substituted canned tomatoes, even jars of puree for the fresh tomatoes, changed up the type of pasta, stirred in cream cheese at the end, added cooked chicken breast or slices of cooked sausage at the end, etc. It is very adaptable and a meal my kids can learn to make easily. Excellent for students in university with little time or incentive to cook! Love it!
Mary says
We had this for dinner tonight, I always mix it up a little bit and add chicken and use chicken broth. It's quick and easy, everyone loves it and after I worked 10 hours today I didn't have to spend a ton of time in the kitchen.
Kitty says
made it ,it was great ,loved it
Aleisha says
I make this all the time!! The only thing I do different is I use vegetable broth instead of water and I are some fried kielbasa or polish sausage into it because my husband is big on meat. Lol
Robin says
Its become a staple in this house. I use 3 1/2cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of white wine instead of water. And add fresh cracked black pepper ( about a 1/2 tsp) 1/2 tsp oregano, 5 sprigs italian parsley and chives to taste. I also left about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot ( cooked it to al dente) and did not add any cheese before serving as the dish didn't need it.
Anonymous says
Looks and sounds delicious – I will most definitely try this recipe!
Anonymous says
Have tried this and it was de-li-cious!!!
Ana says
I made this on Saturday. I used thin spaghetti. It was delicious. I'm definitely making this again.
Susan says
Not bad at all and very easy!