Description
A creamy, easy one-pot Parmesan pasta recipe combining pasta, tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and a rich blend of chicken stock and cream, finished with shredded Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick, comforting dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 14.5 ounces Rotel or petite diced tomatoes
- 1 small onion, sliced thin
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Liquids and Fats
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Cheese
- 1/2 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- More fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients: In a deep skillet or a heavy-bottom pot, add the spaghetti noodles, diced tomatoes, thinly sliced onion, fresh basil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Add olive oil and seasonings: Drizzle the olive oil over the mixture, and sprinkle in the sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the oil and seasonings.
- Add chicken stock and stir: Pour in the four cups of low-sodium chicken stock, then stir everything together to combine all ingredients well and ensure the noodles are submerged.
- Bring to a boil: Place the pot on medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a rolling boil.
- Cook pasta partially covered: Once boiling, cover the pot and let it cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Halfway through cooking time, stir well to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Finish cooking the pasta: Cover again and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pasta is fully cooked and tender.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Remove from heat and let the mixture sit for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with extra fresh basil if desired and serve warm as a creamy, flavorful pasta dish.
Notes
- If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute the chicken stock with vegetable broth.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream or omit completely.
- Be sure to stir the pasta halfway through cooking to avoid clumping or sticking.
- Fresh basil enhances the flavor best, but dried basil can be used as a substitute with adjusted quantities.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger groups. Just ensure a large enough pot for cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: one pot pasta, Parmesan pasta, easy pasta recipe, creamy pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta, stovetop pasta
