How To Master One-Skillet Pasta
Food editor Kristen Eppich shares shares her tips for mastering one-skillet pasta.
Pasta is a very popular meal in my home. Whether I’m creating bold and adventurous dishes for my husband and myself, or simple classics like my kids’ favorite spaghetti and meatballs, it’s guaranteed we’ll have pasta at least once a week.
I’m a big fan of one-skillet pastas. Cooking the sauce in a single skillet means you layer in flavors as you go, which results in a richer sauce (with the added bonus of fewer pots to clean!). The skillet you choose is important — either a cast-iron or stainless steel one is ideal. Don’t use a non-stick pan — it won’t allow the browning and caramelization you want for building flavor. And always use a large skillet to give you lots of room to toss the pasta in the sauce. Click through to master the technique for making restaurant-worthy one-skillet pasta, and find three mouthwatering recipes.
Step 1
Heat oil in a large skillet, sauté meat or fish, and reserve. Next, sauté aromatics like garlic, onions and shallots until tender.
Step 2
Add vegetables, then sauce bases like tomatoes, stock or wine to the pan to build flavors. Let it simmer and reduce.
Step 3
Brings a large pot of water to a boil. Add enough salt to make the water taste like the sea, 1 tsp per litre of water. Cook pasta.
Step 4
Just before draining, reserve 2 cups of pasta water. Drain pasta and transfer to skillet along with reserved meat or fish.
Step 5
Add 1⁄4 cup of pasta water to pan and toss well. Add more by the tbsp until sauce is creamy and glossy. Toss well.
Step 6
Sprinkle pasta with freshly grated cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with fresh herbs.
Fiorelli With Rapini, Garlic And Olive Oil
Sautéing rapini in garlic and olive oil helps coax out its sweet side, while anchovies deliver bold flavor.
Get the recipe here.
Mac And Cheese With Kale Chip Crust
Crispy kale chips give this dish some crunch. Plus, this recipe makes extra, so you’ll have some for later.
Get the recipe here.
Pappardelle Al Limone With Zucchini Ribbons And Shrimp
This traditional Italian dish has a creamy, citrusy flavor that pairs well with juicy sautéed shrimp.
Get the recipe here.
Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Mushrooms And Chili Paste
Spicy chili paste, savory, rich pancetta and nutty whole wheat spaghetti create layers of complex flavors.
Get the recipe here.
- Photographer Stacey Brandford
- Stylist Sasha Seymour