Easy One-Pot Pasta with Butter Garlic Sauce

The simple yet delicious One-Pot Pasta has become a favorite among those seeking quick and easy meals without sacrificing flavor or quality. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress dinner guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 500g pasta (such as spaghetti or fusilli)
• 500ml chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Number of Servings: 4

Instructions:

1. Begin by sautéing the aromatics. Heat up your pan over medium heat and add in the olive oil. Once it’s warm, throw in the finely chopped onion and allow it to cook until translucent. This should take about 5 minutes. Stir frequently so as not to burn the onions.
2. Add garlic for a burst of flavor. After cooking the onions, add the minced garlic into the pan. Stir continuously until you can smell the distinct aroma of garlic without burning it. Garlic has a shorter cooking time than onions, thus adding it later ensures its unique taste without sacrificing its natural flavors and textures.
3. Pour in pasta and broth. Next, pour your chosen amount of pasta into the pan. Stir gently to coat the pasta with oil and garlic mixture. Pour in the chicken broth slowly while stirring occasionally so that the sauce doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
4. Cook until al dente. Once all ingredients are combined, bring your pot back to a boil and then reduce heat to low-medium setting where you can maintain a gentle simmer. Allow pasta to cook for approximately 10 minutes or until it reaches an al dente state. Al dente pasta retains some firmness but is still soft enough to be easily swallowed.
5. Mix in cheese and season with salt and pepper. Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat source and stir in half of your grated Parmesan cheese along with a dash of salt and black pepper according to personal taste preference. Feel free to add more or less depending on how much flavor you desire in each bite.
6. Taste before serving. Before plating up, give the mixture another quick stir throughly ensuring everything is well mixed together and all components are evenly distributed throughout your dish. Take a small spoonful to taste if needed making any necessary adjustments like adding more cheese or additional seasoning.
7. Serve immediately. Ladle out portions onto serving plates and garnish with extra grated Parmesan along with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

This One-Pot Pasta recipe provides a comforting yet simple meal that can be prepared in under an hour. It’s not only budget-friendly but also incredibly versatile; you could swap out the chicken broth for vegetable stock, use different types of pasta like penne or farfalle, or add vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes to create endless variations based on your preferences.

Health Benefits

Eating One-Pot Pasta can offer several health benefits depending on the type of pasta used and any additional ingredients added. Whole grain pastas are high in fiber which helps promote digestive health, while lean cuts of chicken add protein to support muscle growth and repair after workouts. Incorporating plenty of vegetables into this dish ensures you get essential vitamins and minerals from various food groups too!

Storage Tips

If making extra servings for leftovers, storing your One-Pot Pasta in an airtight container at room temperature is sufficient within the first few days. For longer storage, freezing it would be advisable since freezing helps preserve its texture and flavor better than refrigeration. When ready to eat again, simply microwave according to package instructions or reheat on stove top until heated through.

Conclusion

Incorporating this One-Pot Pasta recipe into your weekly meal rotation will bring variety, simplicity, and satisfaction every time. Whether enjoyed alone as a light dinner or paired with fresh greens for extra nutrition, it’s sure to become one of your go-to recipes in no time.

Enjoy cooking and eating! Remember, the secret to great meals lies not just in following precise steps but also tasting and adjusting flavors along the way. Happy cooking!