One Pot Pasta Recipe by Michael Symon for Vibrant Dinners

Michael Symon’s one-pot pasta sparks culinary excitement with its revolutionary approach to quick, flavorful meals.

Weeknight dinner drama dissolves as this ingenious technique turns simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike rejoice in this streamlined cooking method that slashes prep time and cleanup.

Each carefully selected ingredient dances together, creating a symphony of taste in a single pan.

No more juggling multiple pots or complicated techniques: just pure, straightforward deliciousness emerges from this smart cooking strategy.

The beauty lies in its simplicity, transforming ordinary pasta into an extraordinary dining experience.

Get ready to fall in love with a meal that’s as easy to make as it is incredible to devour.

Ingredients in Michael Symon’s One Pot Pasta

• Pasta: Choose a short, sturdy pasta like penne or fusilli that catches sauce beautifully.
• Water: Use fresh, filtered water for the cleanest cooking flavor.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Onion: Pick ripe, firm tomatoes and sweet, crisp onions for maximum flavor burst.
• Garlic: Select plump, firm garlic cloves without green sprouts for the most robust taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Choose high-quality, vibrant red flakes for a perfect spicy kick.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Select bright green, fragrant basil without wilting or dark spots.

• Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for rich, authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Select freshly ground black pepper and sea salt for layered, complex seasoning.
• Parmesan Cheese: Opt for freshly grated, authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano for ultimate creamy texture.

Kitchen Gear for Symon’s One Pot Pasta

• Large Skillet: Wide pan with straight edges, perfect for one-pot cooking.
• Tongs: Essential for stirring and moving pasta while cooking.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions and garlic.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Measuring Cup: Ensures correct water quantity for cooking.
• Serving Bowls: Four dishes for portioning and serving the pasta.
• Grater: For creating fresh Parmesan cheese topping.
• Wooden Spoon: Optional tool for stirring ingredients if preferred over tongs.

How to Make One Pot Pasta

• Gather Ingredients

Snag everything you need for a mouthwatering pasta feast: fresh pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp onion, zesty garlic, spicy red pepper flakes, vibrant basil leaves, golden olive oil, and classic seasonings.

• Create One-Pot Wonder

Toss all ingredients into a spacious skillet with confidence. Swirl pasta with tomatoes, dance onions and garlic around the pan, sprinkle red pepper flakes for kick, and tear basil leaves for aromatic magic. Drizzle olive oil generously and season with salt and pepper.

• Boil and Transform

Crank the heat high and let your culinary creation bubble with energy. Stir constantly with tongs, watching pasta dance and liquid shrink. In about 9 minutes, you’ll create a perfectly creamy, texture-packed dish that looks like a restaurant masterpiece.

• Elevate and Enjoy

Taste and tweak seasonings to make the flavor pop. Pile steaming pasta into bowls, crown with fresh basil leaves, shower with Parmesan cheese, and finish with a luxurious olive oil drizzle. Your one-pot wonder is ready to devour.

Tips for Michael Symon’s Pasta Method

Swap cherry tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes for an intense, concentrated flavor that adds depth to your dish.

Add grilled chicken, crispy pancetta, or shrimp directly into the one-pot mixture to transform this recipe into a hearty meal that satisfies bigger appetites.

Adjust red pepper flakes based on your heat tolerance – use just a pinch for mild warmth or go bold with a generous sprinkle for a spicy kick that awakens your taste buds.

Experiment with different cheese options like pecorino romano, crumbled feta, or creamy goat cheese instead of traditional Parmesan to create unique flavor profiles that make this recipe distinctly yours.

Serving One Pot Pasta Michael Symon-Style

• Elevate Your Pasta Presentation: Serve this vibrant one-pot wonder on wide, shallow plates to showcase the colorful ingredients and capture every delicious drop of sauce.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle generous shavings of fresh Parmesan or pecorino romano just before serving to add a salty, creamy dimension that complements the pasta's bright flavors.
• Create a Mediterranean Feast: Pair the dish with a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, and add a simple side salad with mixed greens and a light vinaigrette to balance the meal's richness.
• Quick Restaurant-Style Finish: Garnish with extra torn fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, and a light sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a professional touch that adds depth and visual appeal.

Prep & Store Michael Symon’s Pasta Dish

• Preserve Fresh Flavors: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum taste and texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water to restore moisture and prevent pasta from becoming dry or sticky.
• Freeze for Later: Pack cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers, keeping it fresh for up to 2 weeks – perfect for quick future meals.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare ingredients in advance by chopping vegetables and storing them separately, cutting down total cooking time when you're ready to create this delicious one-pot wonder.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes

Total Time: 14 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 4

Vibrant Michael Symon One Pot Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 14 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Michael Symon’s one pot pasta brings Italian comfort to your kitchen with minimal cleanup. Pasta lovers rejoice in this simple yet satisfying meal that combines rich flavors and convenient cooking technique.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) linguine
• 12 oz (340 g) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
• 1 onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 4 ½ cups (1.1 L) water
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 sprigs basil, plus torn leaves for garnish
• Coarse salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Ingredient Unification: Consolidate linguine, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, basil leaves, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and water in a large straight-sided skillet, ensuring comprehensive ingredient integration.
2. Heat Activation: Ignite high heat beneath the skillet, triggering an instantaneous rolling boil while continuously manipulating pasta with tongs to prevent adherence and guarantee uniform cooking progression.
3. Liquid Absorption: Persistently rotate and agitate pasta for approximately 9 minutes, monitoring liquid reduction and achieving a luxurious, glossy sauce consistency while ensuring perfectly textured al dente linguine.
4. Flavor Calibration: Conduct a meticulous taste evaluation, strategically adjusting salt and pepper proportions to harmonize and intensify the dish’s overall gustatory experience.
5. Culinary Presentation: Artfully distribute the aromatic pasta across serving vessels, strategically garnishing with torn basil, freshly grated Parmesan, and a sophisticated extra virgin olive oil drizzle to elevate visual and gustatory dimensions.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking: Constantly manipulate pasta with tongs during cooking to ensure even heat distribution and avoid clumping.
• Liquid Management: Watch liquid absorption closely; the goal is a silky sauce that coats pasta without being too dry or watery.
• Timing is Critical: Cook exactly 9 minutes for perfect al dente texture; overcooking will result in mushy pasta and loss of authentic Italian texture.
• Finish with Finesse: Final garnishes of fresh basil, Parmesan, and olive oil aren’t just decoration—they dramatically enhance flavor and elevate the entire dish’s taste profile.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 2 mg