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
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY: Balsamic Butter Sauce
Anonymous says
LOVED IT, I added cooked 1/2 lb. each of cooked chicken & Italian sausage & more fresh basil -knocked it out to the park
Laurie
Andrea says
I made this last week and it turned out really good! I added some additional seasonings to it to fit our tastes. Definitely a good quick go to recipe for a fast meal.
June says
I do this ALL the time now! It's DELISH!!
Natalie says
I've made it twice and was great both times. You have to make sure your onions and garlic are very thin so they almost melt. It's good.
Wendy says
I made this tonight….I added more garlic because you can never have to much..lol…added oregano & sage…used 1lb of Linguine..3 cans of all natural chicken broth…it was amazing!!! My family loved it!! So happy I found your page!!!
Jackie says
I did try this..it was easy and great tasting! To leftovers to work the next day and shared….ended up handing out recipe to almost everyone in the office!!!
Erma says
Made it with some Italian meatballs in the pot and extra GARLIC when finished topped with Italian CHEESE*DELISH*
Kelly says
I LOVED this, and my daughters best friend got the recipe from me and made it for her family, who loved it, too! !! Can't wait to make it again!
Danita says
I made this for the family but I added some Italian sausage to it one time and then another I used turkey meat. It was great. Served it with toasted garlic italian bread.
Sharon says
We've made this many times and is delicious!!!!!
Babak says
I've done it a few times and added cooked chicken breast. easy, quick. delicious!
Anonymous says
I tried it and my husband loved it!!! Needs a lot of salt added, though.
Michelle says
I also added 1/2 cup of white wine & a piece of parmesean rind. I used chicken stock instead of water. We like it.
Ruth says
we loved it…definitely a keeper!
Shirley says
I have made this several times, adding seasons, mushrooms, chicken — whatever I had on hand. Good & easy!
Mimi says
This is delicious! I think I will try this again this week!
Anonymous says
I have fixed this about three times now. My family and I loveeee it! So easy and i have tweeked it here and there. Most recent I added scrambled Italian sausage to it…delish !! Thank you!
Sharon
Stacy says
I have made this for my family and friends and its ALWAYS a hit! And simple!
Enrica says
This turned out GREAT … love it!!
Anonymous says
Made this a couple of times I just use more broth then it says because I like sauce and I added spinach, mushrooms and at the end shrimp.