20-minute, one-pot creamy linguini

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If you had told me a few years ago that I would be jumping onto the one-pot pasta train and never looking back, I would think you (or I) had lost our minds. It always felt like a cheat and my brain always told me that the result would be a starchy, goopy mess. In a previously life, I was also a purist (read: elitist) when it came to most culinary adventures. Surely, it’s not that much more work to boil pasta separately in order to get the best possible texture?

In the last few years though, chronic pain has taught me that sometimes one extra pan is too much work. For working parents, busy adults, and people who simply don’t enjoy their time in the kitchen, one extra pan can also too daunting.

Recently, as I was recovering from gallbladder surgery, I knew I would not be able to lift the weight of a pot of water over to the stove to boil pasta. I realized I had finally found the moment when I would be converted into a believer in the one-pot pasta.

This dish is simple. It takes somewhere between 5-8 ingredients (many are optional) and most of them can be substituted. It’s truly a “what’s in your pantry” meal with endless variations. It only took about 20-minutes and no slicing, dicing, mincing, or chopping (unless you add the optional lemon juice and zest).

Ingredients & Substitutions

Garlic - I used the garlic cubes from Trader Joe’s but any garlic option will do, including fresh, paste, and jarlic. I used two cubes, which is equivalent to two cloves but I should have used more. As always, measure with your heart!

Frozen Spinach - Use whatever you’ve got in your freezer. I used most of one 12oz bag of frozen spinach. Broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and peas would also make great options.

Cream of Chicken Soup - I used one can of cream of chicken but you just need cream of something. Cream of celery or mushroom would be great substitutes as well.

Lipton Onion Soup Mix - This adds a great flavor. If you don’t have this, you can add some fresh or frozen onions at the beginning with the garlic or add some granulated or dried onion instead.

Fettuccine - Use whatever pasta you’ve got available. It truly does not matter.

Heavy Cream - Other options include coconut cream, plant-based heavy cream, a little dollop of cream cheese, half & half, or whole milk.

Lemon Juice & Zest - This ingredient is totally optional. It will add a touch of brightness to this dish that might otherwise feel heavy.