Cooking Basics
One-pot pasta: How to simplify your dinner game
February 16, 2022
Looking for a quick lunch or dinner idea? One-pot pasta is your answer. One pot and a few ingredients are all you need to whip up something tasty. If you haven’t tried making pasta in just one pot yet, get ready for a game changer. Just toss everything in and let it cook. It’s really as easy as that, and comes packed with flavour!
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One-pot pasta: the perfect after-work food
Do you hate spending hours in the kitchen after work? One-pot meals are a real lifesaver if you want to whip something up in a flash but are not prepared to scrimp on flavour. One-pot pasta is the perfect alternative to making pasta in the usual way with a separate sauce and extra add-ins. The clue is in the name – the pasta is cooked right in the home-made sauce, all in one pan, making it quicker on the stove and even faster to wash up afterwards. There are many variations on the classic one-pot pasta, with many standard recipes easy to adapt. Read on for more easy one-pot meal ideas!
Delicious one-pot spaghetti and meatballs made with our Italian Sandwich Seasoning.
The origins of one-pot pasta
This hot trend was started by cooking queen Martha Stewart, but the real roots go back to Italy. Italians have been making pasta in one pot for ages, similar to cooking risotto. It’s all about chopping up your ingredients, putting them in the pot, and letting them cook together. No need to watch over multiple pots or even drain the pasta – it’s all done in one go.
Why we love a one-pot meal
They’re really quick and easy.
They save on washing-up.
They’re flexible – throw in whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
Everything cooks together, so the flavours meld beautifully.
They’re ideal for meal prep – just cook double and save the leftovers for the next day.
Different one-pot pasta variations
One-pot pasta dishes are incredibly versatile. Whether you’re aiming for a warm Mediterranean dish or a lively Asian-inspired meal, our one-pot pasta recipe is a great foundation for your cooking adventures. Use any ingredients you’ve got lying around, like yesterday’s veggies or that nearly expired cream, and turn them into a delicious meal that’s as enjoyable to cook as it is to eat.
Best pasta shapes for one-pot pasta
It is much simpler to use smaller pasta shapes for one-pot pasta dishes. Spaghetti and longer shapes are more difficult to fit into the pot!
Our favourite shapes:
Penne
Macaroni
Pasta shells
Pasta bows
Fusilli
This one-pot pasta uses salmon, cream, Parmesan and spinach for a rich and satisfying dinner – on the table in less than 25 minutes!
One-pot pasta – but make it vegan
How do we make vegan one-pot pasta? Depending on the sauce you want to cook, simply swap out dairy and meat-based ingredients for their plant-based alternatives. Cream? Choose coconut milk. Minced meat? Try tofu crumbles. Parmesan as a garnish? Nutritional yeast will give you the same umami hit.
Quick tip: Add frozen peas or other frozen veg towards the end of cooking for a boost of vitamins and an easy way to bulk out the meal.
The right spices for one-pot pasta
Spice up your one-pot pasta with the right seasonings. A one-pot bolognese can be easily improved with a teaspoon of our Bolognese Seasoning, and a tomato sauce–based dish will shine with the addition of Pasta Allrounder or Italian Allrounder. For creamy sauces, try our Carbonara Seasoning, a touch of Garlic Pepper or our bestselling Aglio e Olio seasoning blend.
Gluten-free one-pot pasta
If you want to make your one-pot pasta meal gluten-free, simply switch out the normal pasta shapes for your favourite gluten-free version. You may find you need a little more liquid than for wheat pasta, but the same method still applies.
How to make one-pot pasta
More inspiration from Just Spices
Would you like more inspiration as well as delicious, easy recipes? Browse our recipe collections to find inspiration on how to use your spices, more tasty pasta dishes, healthy meal ideas and quick dinner recipes.
