One Pot Wonder Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe
May 19, 2013 in Vegetarian Entrees
One Pot Wonder Pasta – BEFORE
Once in awhile a dish comes along and stuns you and makes you rethink the way you cook. This miracle throw-everything-in-a-pot pasta dish has done that for me.
You literally throw in all the ingredients for this dish – including the uncooked pasta – and then Flame On! You cook it all together and DO NOT DRAIN the pasta. You just cook it up and starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta. The tastes and textures of this dish are shockingly good. And the “sauce” made by the starch from the pasta combining with the reduced vegetable broth is truly remarkable.
I started with the idea from a photo I saw in this months’s Martha Stewart Living magazine, but I added some things to make this recipe my own and that I think make the dish even better: some crumbled oregano leaves and a little olive oil for richness. And Oh Yes! – I used vegetable broth, not water and salt as called for in the recipe. I used regular vegetable broth, not a low-sodium version, and this was the perfect seasoning for the pasta.
I was so nervous about cooking the linguine right with the other ingredients, but I took a leap of faith. This dish is a revelation, and I’ll make it again and again.
NOTE: This recipe and new technique just scream out for experimentation by passionate cooks, so please feel free to tweak as desired, and come back and let us know your favorite version(s)!
Happy Meatless Monday, all!
One Pot Wonder Pasta – AFTER
– posted by Donna
I used a can of diced tomatoes, but as the summer tomato harvest begins, I will try this recipe again using garden ripened tomatoes. Will report back in July, all!
ONE POT WONDER TOMATO BASIL PASTA
Serves 4 to 6 as an entree
12 ounces linguine pasta
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid ( I used zesty red pepper flavor style)
1 medium sweet onion, cut in 1/4 inch julienne strips (use an onion such as Vidalia or Walla Walla)
4 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (use regular broth and NOT low sodium)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 bunch (about 10 to 12 leaves) basil, diced
Parmesan cheese for garnish
Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with oil.
Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – I left about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot – but you can reduce as desired .
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add basil leaves and stir pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot evenly throughout the pasta as you are serving. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.
Other one-pot pasta wonders:
My friend the Mountain Mama made One Pot Pasta with MIni Chicken Meatballs
Week of Menus has the flavor trio of Sausage, Broccolini and Garlic Pasta
I’ve never had gluten-free pasta, but Martha makes me want to try with her Pasta Putanesca
[…] (Image and recipe via Apron Strings) […]
[…] One Pot Wonder Tomato Basil Pasta: The title says it all. I would love to make this with whole wheat pasta and eat it with almond parmesan. […]
Just made this tonight it’s just wonderful. And so easy to make.
This so easy thank you!
I once used the can tomatoes that has the basil and oregano and made it even easier. Having learned to use what is on hand is a wonderful freeing experience.. Today, I had mine all put together and realize I have no oregano, so I substituted with cilantro (probably not the same, but ok) Note to self, always have a can with it in as a staple in the pantry. :) thanks for posting this, its great!