ITALIAN WONDERPOT (ONE POT PASTA)
ITALIAN WONDERPOT (ONE POT PASTA)
This dish is incredibly easy and super flavorful. The pasta cooks in a mixture of broth, herbs, and aromatics, like onion and garlic, which really ramp up the flavor. The starch that leaches off of the pasta as it cooks helps create a thick sauce right in the pot. It’s magic! So fast, so easy, and SO flavorful. I do want to mention, though, that if you’re the type of person that can’t handle pasta any other way than al dente, you may not like this one. The pasta can get a little soft, if you let it cook even just a little too long.
I made a few changes to the original recipe, as usual, to fit my needs. First, instead of using fresh basil, which can cost an arm and a leg, I used frozen spinach for a pop of green and increased the dried basil to make up for the flavor. Second, I wanted more “stuff” in my pasta, so I used a larger can of diced tomatoes and reduced the amount of vegetable broth to compensate. Lastly, I added a light sprinkle of shaved Parmesan over top. Other great ideas for add-ins: mushrooms, parmesan, artichoke hearts, or olives.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups vegetable broth $0.52
- 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.22
- 12 oz fettuccine $0.75
- 8 oz frozen chopped spinach $0.72
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes $1.68
- 1 medium onion, sliced $0.42
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced $0.32
- 1/2 Tbsp dried basil $0.15
- 1/2 Tbsp dried oregano $0.15
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes $0.03
- freshly cracked pepper to taste $0.05
- 2 oz shaved Parmesan $1.25
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add four cups of vegetable broth to a large pot. Break the fettuccine in half and add it to the pot along with the canned tomatoes (with juices), olive oil, frozen spinach, onion, garlic, basil, oregano, red pepper, and some freshly cracked black pepper.
- Make sure the ingredients are submerged under the liquid, place a lid on top of the pot, and then turn the heat on to high. Allow the pot to come up to a full boil over high heat, then remove the lid and turn the heat down to medium.
- Allow the pot to continue to boil over medium heat, without a lid, for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir the pot every few minutes as it cooks to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom, but avoid over stirring which can cause the pasta to become sticky.
- Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan just before serving.
Recipe Adapted From budgetbytes.com