Pasta is a beloved dish that never grows tiresome. Whether paired with a fiery tomato-based ragu or a luxurious creamy white wine sauce, the culinary possibilities are endless. It is an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is limited. While pasta itself cooks relatively quickly, the process of boiling water in a pot can add extra time. Experts now recommend abandoning this traditional approach in favor of a speedier alternative.
The Frying Pan Method
According to culinary experts at Allrecipes, using a frying pan is a game-changer for quick pasta preparation. This technique allows you to cook the pasta and create a sauce simultaneously in a single pan, eliminating the need for additional washing up. The result is a restaurant-quality dish ready in no time.
One-Pan Pasta Recipe
There are numerous one-pan pasta recipes available, but the 'easiest tomato pasta ever' from Taming Twins is an excellent starting point. Here is how to prepare it:
Ingredients
- 350g spaghetti
- 400g tinned tomatoes
- One large onion, sliced
- Four cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
- Two tbsp olive oil
- Four tbsp pesto
- Three tbsp tomato puree
- One litre vegetable stock
- One tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 200g cherry tomatoes
- 75g grated parmesan
Method
- Take a frying pan with a lid and add the spaghetti, tinned tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, pesto, salt, pepper, and stock.
- Place the lid on and cook over a medium heat for roughly 10 minutes, until the pasta is nearly done.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and continue cooking for a further three to four minutes until the pasta becomes completely tender and the cherry tomatoes are properly cooked.
- Split between bowls, sprinkle with the parmesan cheese, and serve.
This simple method not only saves time but also reduces cleanup, making it perfect for quick and delicious dinners.
