One-Pan Pasta
+3 photos

One-Pan Pasta

4 servings
Our famous one-pan pasta makes a delicious dinner in just 20 minutes. All the ingredients—pasta, tomatoes, onions, and olive oil—cook together in one pan.

Ingredients

  • linguine
    12 oz
  • cherry or grape tomatoes

    halved or quartered if large

    12 oz
  • onion

    thinly sliced, about 2 cups

    1
  • garlic

    thinly sliced

    4 cloves
  • red-pepper flakes
    ½ tsp
  • basil

    plus torn leaves for garnish

    2 sprigs
  • extra-virgin olive oil

    plus more for serving

    2 tbsp
  • coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • water
    4 ½ c
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese

    for serving

Directions

  1. 1

    Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red-pepper flakes, basil, oil, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and water in a large straight-sided skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat.

    Step 1
  2. 2

    Boil mixture, stirring and turning pasta frequently with tongs, until pasta is al dente and water has nearly evaporated, about 9 minutes.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide among 4 bowls, and garnish with basil. Serve with oil and Parmesan.

    Step 3
One-Pan Pasta
+3

One-Pan Pasta

4.1(4.2k)20 min4 servings

Similar Recipes

One-Pan Pasta

One-Pan Pasta

Astonishingly quick and delicious, this One-Pan Pasta is a stove-to-table dish that also has minimal prep and minimal cleanup.

30 minutes
One-Pot Taco Pasta

One-Pot Taco Pasta

For a low-stress weeknight meal that the whole family will love, make one-pot taco pasta. The pasta cooks right in the pot with seasoned ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes before being topped with melty cheese.

35 minutes510 kcal
One-Pan Chicken and Spinach Orzo

One-Pan Chicken and Spinach Orzo

This One-Pan Chicken and Spinach Orzo is an easy weeknight dinner with chicken and spinach in a creamy tomato orzo.

20 minutes284 kcal
One-Pot Roasted Garlic Pasta

One-Pot Roasted Garlic Pasta

While roasting garlic can typically take close to an hour, this creamy pasta captures those sweet, nutty, mellow flavors in just 35 minutes, no roasting required. To replicate the toastiness, the process starts by gently frying the cloves in olive oil until they develop a golden-brown exterior. Because garlic can burn easily, you’ll want to keep the sizzle slow and steady and ensure the cloves are in near-constant motion. Simmering the fried garlic in water delivers two things: the characteristic roasted garlic tenderness and a flavorful stock, which becomes your base for the fragrant pasta sauce. A splash of cream and a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil are incorporated into the starch-heavy pasta water for an irresistibly silky sauce from just a handful of ingredients. Watch Carolina Gelen make this dish in this video.

45 minutes718 kcal
Creamy One-Pot Pasta

Creamy One-Pot Pasta

This creamy, cheesy pasta sauce is a great foil for the pound of butternut squash hidden within. The best part? Both the pasta and the sauce are made in one pot—no separate pot of boiling water needed.

45 minutes4 servings
One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta

One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta

This chicken Parmesan pasta uses the one-pot pasta method to cook your noodles, chicken and sauce all in one skillet for a fast and easy dinner with minimal cleanup. Finish the dish under the broiler to achieve a delicious melted cheese crust.

One-Pot Caprese Pasta

One-Pot Caprese Pasta

This dish tastes just like your favorite summer salad, only heartier. If you haven't tried a one-pot pasta yet, do: It's a great timesaving trick. Place all the ingredients in the pot together, add enough water and simmer. The noodles and sauce cook together, which means this dinner is ready in just 15 minutes. Stirring in the fresh mozzarella after the pasta has finished cooking creates an almost instant cream sauce, coating each noodle with a hint of cheese.

25 minutes
One-Pan Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta

One-Pan Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta

Ready in just 20 minutes, this One-Pan Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta will make everyone in your family smile! Simple and delicious!

25 minutes407 kcal

Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Excellent

Based on 4,168 ratings

marthastewart.com
4.1(4,168 reviews)
View original recipe

Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Tired of juggling multiple pots for dinner? Our famous One-Pan Pasta delivers a flavorful, satisfying meal with minimal fuss and only one pan to clean. In just 20 minutes total, you can enjoy a fresh, vibrant pasta dish that tastes like it took hours.

Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this one-pan pasta lies in its unique cooking method: all the ingredients—linguine, sweet cherry or grape tomatoes, aromatic onion, and pungent garlic—simmer together in a single pan. As the pasta cooks, it releases starch, creating a rich, creamy sauce that beautifully coats every strand, infusing each bite with layers of flavor. This simple technique means less cleanup and maximum taste development.

What to Expect

You'll find the linguine perfectly al dente, nestled amongst tender, bursting tomatoes that create a naturally sweet and tangy sauce. Thinly sliced onion and garlic lend a fragrant depth, while a hint of red-pepper flakes adds a subtle warmth. Fresh basil sprigs infuse the dish as it cooks, then torn leaves provide a bright, herbaceous finish, all brought together by a generous drizzle of olive oil. This is a wonderfully balanced dish that highlights fresh, simple ingredients.

Customization & Variations

Feel free to adjust the red-pepper flakes to your preferred level of heat, adding more for a spicier kick or less for a milder flavor. You can use a mix of both cherry and grape tomatoes, or just one type, based on what's fresh and available. Don't be shy about increasing the garlic if you're a garlic lover!

Serving & Context

This One-Pan Pasta is a perfect main course for busy weeknights or a light, elegant summer dinner. Serve it directly from the pan, finished with a final drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions