When a former chef from the Williams-Sonoma test kitchen offers us an exclusive recipe, we automatically accept it. And when that turns into a super-simple, healthy one-pot pasta recipe that anyone can make…well, call us happy campers. One-pot pasta is a great solution for cooking delicious, satisfying dishes without having to surrender your entire night to treats. They’re hearty enough to feed the whole family, simple enough to get together quickly, and above all, minimal on the dishes!
Summer comes, and we have salads, ceviches, and even pizzas all packed in colorful produce on our minds. But pasta? Probably not the first item on your to-cook list. A rich bolognese or creamy vodka sauce is more reminiscent of winter comfort than a light, refreshing summer dinner. We might not associate pasta with all the things we love in the warmer months because it can be richer, more nutty and heavier than your typical summer fare.
But this healthy one-pot pasta recipe is completely different. Think: afternoon in Italy, sipping a glass of white, nibbling on each piece of skillfully handcrafted pasta. It’s light, delicate, and perfect in every way. You’ll get the best of both worlds with an easy dish that’s more than you’d expect.
Amanda Frederickson, professional chef and creator of this noodle dish, said: “I love this noodle dish because I am always amazed by how simple and delicious it is. “Inspired by Martha Stewart’s recipe, all ingredients are cooked together and dinner comes together in less than 15 minutes. It’s light but still hearty and packed with all the flavors we love in the summer. “What more could we ask for?
Read on to discover Amanda’s favorite healthy one-pot pasta recipe below and get to work!
What makes this noodle so healthy?
Packing pasta dishes with vegetables is the best way I know of to get the recommended servings of the day. In addition to a variety of vegetables and flavors, this healthy one-pot pasta recipe uses ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, which are high in lycopene and fiber, as well as summer ingredients. Using the highest levels of vegetables and fruits (like summer fresh tomatoes and corn) means you’re eating these ingredients at their best and most nutritionally dense.
Key tips for making this healthy one-pot pasta recipe:
- Salt the water properly. We’re all used to salting our pasta water until it tastes like seawater, but even in a pot type of pot, you’ll want to make sure there’s enough salt in the first place. My philosophy with cooking is to cook as you do, and it gets a bit harder when you’re mixing everything together at once and only tasting last. First, be sure to salt properly and adjust as needed.
- Don’t overcook your vegetables. While most pasta in one pot works well with whatever vegetables you have on hand, you may not want them all to cook the entire time. Certain greens like asparagus and broccoli reach their peak flavor and texture when they turn bright emerald green. But when overcooked, they become dull green (and less palatable). So add the vegetables that cook the longest first, and their flavor and texture won’t suffer if they cook a little longer than necessary. Add the smaller pieces (peas, corn kernels, and fresh greens) near the end.
- Use a larger pan/pot than you think you might think you need. Like a salad top, the larger the bowl, the easier it is to ensure that everything is cooked evenly and that the flavors and ingredients are combined properly. Plus, since everything is cooked in one pot, giving all the ingredients plenty of space will ensure the noodles are cooked properly and that nothing is mushy or overcooked.
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This post was originally published on August 23, 2017, and has since been updated.
