One Pot Pasta with spinach, tomatoes, basil and more!! You literally throw everything into one pot and that’s it! This is the perfect weeknight dinner! Quick and delicious!
Now that I know about and have made One Pot Pasta, this is my go-to dinner when I need something fast! I know there’s some controversy about this recipe. . because you are cooking everything in one pot at the same time. . it’s not the proper way to make Italian pasta. . blah blah blah .. but you know what, guys? I’m not going for authentic Italian here. I’m going for quick, easy, and relatively healthy on a weeknight. I’d rather have families make this pasta versus heating up a frozen TV dinner or going through a fast food drive through.
People are always surprised that you literally place everything into your pot at once. I recommend using a pot or pan that’s deep; you could even use a stock pot as well. Just use whatever you have at home. After everything is in your pan, drizzle in some olive oil and then add in the water. Bring everything to a high boil and turn it down just a little after the water starts boiling. Then, you are literally just mixing everything up together.
I know there will still be skeptics out there and all I can say is: just try the recipe and let me know what you think. We love it and my kids even ask for this! It’s so quick, easy and delicious! I hope you give it a try!
One Pot Pasta with Spinach and Basil
Ingredients
- 1 box 1 lb. long noodle pasta (like spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine)
- 1 onion peeled and thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic whole or thinly sliced
- 2 to 3 cups cherry tomatoes any kind; sliced in half
- 1 to 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 handfuls of fresh basil + more for garnish
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- freshly cracked pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes + more if desired
- 2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 1/2 cups water
- freshly grated parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Place everything into your pot: the pasta, onions, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, basil, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Add in the olive oil and then add in the water, starting with 3 cups and adding more (1 cup at a time) as you need it. 4 1/2 cups of water seems to work for me! You want your pasta to be covered in water. Don't worry about covering the spinach and basil, they will wilt down and cook just fine.
- Bring everything to a high boil and then, turn down the heat to medium and begin mixing everything up together using tongs. You need to continue mixing and stirring constantly, as the pasta is cooking so your pasta noodles don't stick together.
- Let the pasta cook for about 10 to 12 minutes (depending on what type of pasta you are using). Feel free to add more basil at this point if you'd like. Most of the water should be absorbed by the end of the cooking time and you should end up with a lovely pasta dish with amazingly great flavor! If you have a little liquid left, let cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer on low heat and feel free to add in some freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir together. Turn off the heat and mix together one last time. By the time you serve the pasta, all of the liquid should be gone completely. Season with more salt and pepper if desired and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from 
One pot pastas are my favorite, too! You just can’t go wrong with less cleanup and a dish that’s sooo good! Loving this spinach and basil version!
I won’t tell the die-hard Italians… 😉 One pot FTW!
Love the video Alice! Such a great, easy weeknight dish. I love how you just throw it all in one pot and BOOM a delicious dinner ASAP!
Love the short ingredient list!
This is a great recipe for a week night dinner. 110% better than a frozen dinner. Love the video, Alice. I was wondering what I could whip up tonight. Thanks a lot…………………
So easy and tasty, that’s what I’m all about during the week, so this is great!
Love it when delish and easy come together for meals like this!
I love the idea od adding spices in the recipe, Alice! Undoubtedly worth preparing!
All the pasta please!! This looks so good and I love one-pot recipes! 🙂
LOVE one bowl pastas. And basil in pasta is like one of the most glorious flavor combos. Ha!
One pot sounds just perfect to me! Love the basil and spinach too 🙂
You had me at “one pot”. Sometimes simple, but perfectly executed, is the best way to go. Love it.
JUST made this and am thoroughly enjoying it! I just started following your pages, thank you for taking the time to post your wonderful knowledge!! Yum!
Hi Nissy, that’s makes me so happy to hear! Thank you so much!!
This was awesome; so much flavor! I had to cook it a lot longer and let it stand (covered) for a while for the liquid to absorb, but it was delicious. It was the best pasta I’ve ever made. Highly highly recommend.
Hooray!! What kind of pasta did you make? The length of time varies depending on what kind of pasta noodles you are using! So glad you enjoyed!!
Hi! I want to try this but hoping to do it with tortellini or similar. Any ideas if that would work?
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Cori, hmmmmmmm. . not sure about that. . especially if the tortellini is stuffed. . this works with penne!! You don’t have to use long noodles!
Looks good!!! I have a basil allergy, would this dish work without the basil? What would I use instead?