Living without a refrigerator stinks. Ours broke down about two weeks ago. It took about one week to get someone out to look at it and then another week to wait for the replacement part to come in. My husband and I resorted to eating out for dinner for the time with no fridge. At first I was annoyed about eating out every night, but then I realized it was quite nice because it meant that I didn’t have to cook! Now that the fridge is fixed, guess who doesn’t want to cook?
I stumbled across this pasta recipe on pinterest.com the other day and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Not only can you make this in about 20 minutes, but when you’re done you only have one pot to wash! Now this is my kind of meal to get back into the cooking scene.
This pasta dish is lightly coated with olive oil and full of wonderful herbs and tomatoes.
One Pot Pasta Recipe
(About 4 to 6 servings)
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces linguine
- 12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 sprigs of fresh basil (plus more for serving)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for serving)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 cups water
- Parmesan cheese, as a topping
Directions:
- In a large skillet, combine the linguine, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, basil, oil, salt, pepper, and water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook for about 9 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the water has nearly evaporated. The key here is to have a little water left when you remove it from the stove because it will continue to cook and the pasta will soak it in.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top, add chopped fresh basil, and drizzle a little bit of olive oil on top, prior to serving.
Slightly adapted from: Martha Stewart
Oh my gosh, can we turn every recipe into a one pot wonder?! This is just like a crock pot recipe but instead of waiting hours it’s ready in minutes.
This pasta dish is like a caprese salad or a margarita pizza, without the mozzarella cheese.
It doesn’t look like it has any sauce on it and it might look bland. (Well, that’s what I thought when I saw other people’s photos of this recipe anyway.) However, that is not the case (at least not the way I made it). All of the flavors have infused into the pasta and it’s super flavorful. Using fresh ingredients is key here to getting those flavors to pop. Don’t use dried herbs for this one.
I also have a little secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. 😉 The thing of tomatoes I bought was only 10.5 ounces instead of the required 12. The good news is that it works just as well so if you can’t find a 12 ounce container of tomatoes or you prefer some type of tomato that just doesn’t come in a thing that size, fear not. It will be delicious even if you aren’t spot on.
It’s a light and fresh pasta dish, perfect to satisfy those Italian carb cravings on these hot days. Let’s be real though, it’s also a great vehicle for piling on lots of fresh Parmesan cheese. 😉
Have you ever had to go without a major kitchen appliance? Tell me your woes.
Here are some other fantastic pasta dishes.
Pasta Arrabbiata with Broccolini and Mushrooms
I’ve seen this one pot pasta all over Pinterest and have been so curious about it! Yours looks great – I’m going to have to try this! I’m so sorry about your fridge – what a bummer!!!
I was pleasantly surprised with how delicious this turned out. 🙂 I’d definitely make it again and perhaps add some veggies.
Love one pot pastas and this looks great.
Thanks Peter!
Awesome! I love linguine 🙂
Me too! 🙂
One pot meals are the best!! I’m a super messy cooker, so the less dishes thrown into the mix, the better. Love all those tomatoes (even if there are only 10.5 oz haha). And sorry about your fridge, Tina! Glad you got to enjoy some meals out in the interim, though!
I’m a neat freak, but when it comes to the kitchen I can be a messy cook too! It was almost a little weird that I could see my counter when I prepared this meal. 😉 Lol.
I literally just learned about one-pot pasta too and it was actually mind-blowing! Who woulda thought?!
Seriously! I’m super impressed with this one. 🙂
I had to go without a washer and drier for a few weeks last year – it was very challenging. This one pot pasta looks great!
Oh man, that’s rough!
Yikes, glad your fridge is fixed now 🙂 I totally hear ya about not wanting to cook though..I’ve felt like that lately too so I’m definitely all about quick and easy and one pot meals. Love the sound of this tomato and basil pasta! It looks delicious!
Thanks so much!! 🙂
Kudos to you for surviving without fridge – I don’t think I’d be able to do so hehehe 😉 This one pot pasta dish looks super flavorful and amaaaaaazing. Love the use of fresh herbs and tomatoes!
I didn’t think I could survive either but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do. 😉
I love one pot meals! They make cleanup so easy. And, I know what you mean about living without a refrigerator – we remodeled – and it is so hard to continue to be creative in the kitchen. We did a lot of grilling. A LOT of grilling! 🙂
Yikes, kitchen remodels are rough! Kudos for getting through it and being creative. 🙂
One pot cooking is THA business…. As a baby chef, the funds were tight, the cupboards always bare and the time to actually cook and clean limited, my bro and I mastered using just the one pot and creating some of the most delicious feeds. Thank goodness for dried and tinned products, not sure we would be here today without them. LOL!
Sorry your fridge broke, thats a total pain, but would have been great to get some fresh ideas for now (I guess) that you are back in your kitchen. 🙂
It’s amazing the food ideas we come up with when money is tight or when we’re lacking a major kitchen appliance!