Description
This One Pan Garlic and Herb Pasta is an easy, delicious, and flavorful weeknight meal! Packed with savory garlic, fresh herbs, and perfectly cooked pasta, this one-pan wonder makes cleanup a breeze. It’s quick to prepare, yet full of taste—ideal for busy nights when you want something simple and satisfying!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) uncooked pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or your choice)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh, if available)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Garnish (optional):
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
-
Heat the Oil:
- In a large skillet or deep pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once heated, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant (be careful not to burn the garlic).
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Add the uncooked pasta to the pan and stir to coat it in the olive oil and garlic. Let the pasta cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to toast slightly and absorb some of the flavor.
-
Add Broth and Herbs:
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together. Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
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Simmer and Cook the Pasta:
- Cover the pan and let the pasta simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until it is cooked through and the liquid has mostly absorbed. Stir occasionally to ensure the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the pan.
-
Finish and Serve:
- Once the pasta is cooked and the liquid is absorbed, remove the pan from heat. If you want a creamier texture, you can stir in some grated Parmesan cheese at this point.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
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Garnish:
- Serve the pasta hot, topped with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil or parsley for garnish.
Notes
- You can add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms to make it more filling and nutritious.
- To make this dish vegan, skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- For extra protein, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas as a topping.
- The key to the one-pan style is to make sure the pasta is stirred frequently to avoid it sticking to the pan.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 5mg