Giada's One-Pan Pasta Hacks: 5 Quick Recipes

Are you in the mood for a quick, delicious dinner that minimizes cleanup? Look no further than Giada's clever one-pan pasta hacks. These recipes, known for their simplicity and taste, involve cooking pasta and sauce together in one pan, reducing cooking time and the number of dishes to wash. Here's a look into five quick pasta recipes that are both tasty and easy to prepare.

1. Lemon and Shrimp One-Pan Pasta

Why it’s great: This dish is light yet flavorful, perfect for a quick summer meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 lemons, zested and juiced
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • A handful of parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 ¹⁄₂ cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Steps:
  1. Place pasta, broth, lemon zest, juice, garlic, parsley, oil, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a large pan.
  2. Bring to a boil over high heat, stir frequently to prevent pasta from sticking.
  3. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, cook for about 9-10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
  4. Add shrimp in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Continue stirring until shrimp turns pink.
  5. Serve with a sprinkle of additional parsley and lemon slices if desired.

  🍋 Note: Ensure your lemons are fresh and juicy to maximize flavor.

2. Creamy Tomato One-Pan Pasta

Why it’s great: This dish gives you the creamy comfort of a tomato sauce without the multiple pots.

• Ingredients:
  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • Handful of fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ¹⁄₄ cup heavy cream
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 ¹⁄₂ cups water
• Steps:
  1. In a large pan, combine pasta, tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil, olive oil, water, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix.
  2. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked.
  3. Reduce heat to low, stir in cream, and cook until heated through.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. If you like heat, add red pepper flakes.
  5. Serve with additional fresh basil.

3. Spinach and Ricotta One-Pan Pasta

Why it’s great: Vegetarian, creamy, and loaded with greens, this is a nutritious pasta dish that’s ready in no time.

• Ingredients:
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 lb spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ¹⁄₄ tsp nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 ¹⁄₂ cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Steps:
  1. In a large pan, combine pasta, spinach, garlic, olive oil, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Add broth.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Once the pasta is almost cooked, stir in ricotta cheese until the sauce is creamy.
  4. Adjust seasoning and serve immediately.

  🌿 Note: You can add a touch of Parmesan at the end for extra richness.

4. Smoky Chorizo and Tomato One-Pan Pasta

Why it’s great: The bold flavors of chorizo and tomatoes merge to create a rustic, satisfying meal with minimal effort.

• Ingredients:
  • 12 oz rigatoni or penne
  • 8 oz chorizo, sliced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 ¹⁄₂ cups chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
• Steps:
  1. Combine pasta, chorizo, tomatoes, garlic, paprika, olive oil, onion, broth, salt, and pepper in a large pan. Stir to combine.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, reduce to a simmer for about 10-12 minutes until pasta is cooked.
  3. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
  4. Finish with a garnish of fresh parsley before serving.

  🥄 Note: Be careful with the salt as chorizo can be quite salty.

5. One-Pan Gnocchi with Tomatoes and Basil

Why it’s great: Gnocchi absorbs flavors wonderfully and cooks much faster than traditional pasta.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb potato gnocchi
  • 1 ¹⁄₂ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¹⁄₄ cup pesto sauce
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• Steps:
  1. In a large pan, combine gnocchi, tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, butter, and broth.
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Once gnocchi is cooked through, stir in pesto to coat everything evenly.
  4. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil.

  🌱 Note: This recipe works great with store-bought gnocchi for an even quicker meal.

These one-pan pasta recipes from Giada de Laurentiis showcase how you can create delicious meals with minimal effort and cleanup. They're perfect for weeknight dinners when time is short, but the desire for good food remains high. Try these recipes to enjoy flavorsome pasta dishes without the hassle, embracing the simplicity of cooking with fewer dishes to wash.

Can I use gluten-free pasta in these one-pan recipes?

+

Absolutely! Gluten-free pasta can be used in any of these recipes. Just adjust cooking time as gluten-free pasta might require different cooking times than traditional pasta.

How can I make these recipes vegan?

+

To make these recipes vegan, replace any non-vegan ingredients with vegan alternatives. For example, use vegan cheese in place of ricotta or cream, and opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Also, you can skip or find vegan versions of chorizo or shrimp.

Can I add more vegetables to these dishes?

+

Yes, you can add more vegetables! Feel free to include ingredients like bell peppers, zucchini, or any other vegetables that cook well in liquid. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure they are not overcooked.

Is it possible to make these dishes ahead of time?

+

These one-pan pastas are best served fresh, but you can prep ingredients in advance. You can also cook the dishes earlier in the day and reheat them gently, adding a splash of broth or water if they seem dry.

What are some good alternatives to pasta in these recipes?

+

You can use zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. Just be mindful of the cooking time as these alternatives cook much faster than pasta.