One-Pot Tomato Spinach Pasta
Regular pasta asks for two pots, a colander and good timing between them. This version puts everything in one pot, and the starchy water turns into the sauce on its own.
- Hands-on
- 5 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- Dishes
- 1 large pot, 1 spoon
Why this works for an ADHD brain
- No draining step, so there is no colander moment and nothing to forget in the sink.
- Everything goes in at once; the only job is to stir now and then.
- Spinach wilts in the last minute, so the vegetable happens without a second decision.
Ingredients
- 12 ozshort pasta or spaghetti(spaghetti broken in half)
- 1 can (14.5 oz)diced tomatoes(with their juice)
- 4½ cupswater or broth
- 3 clovesgarlic, sliced(or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 1 tspsalt(less if using salted broth)
- 4 cupsbaby spinach
- ½ cupgrated parmesan
Steps
- 1
Put the pasta, tomatoes, water, garlic, oil and salt into a large pot.
- 2
Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower to a lively simmer.
- 3
Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has become a light sauce.
- 4
Stir in the spinach until it wilts, then the parmesan. Taste and add salt or pepper.
Where this usually stalls
Walking away and coming back to pasta stuck to the pot.
Set a phone timer for every 3 minutes while it simmers. Stirring is the only job, so let the timer remember it.
Even lazier version
Cook the pasta the same way with a jar of marinara instead of canned tomatoes, and skip the spinach.
Easy swaps
- Add a drained can of white beans for protein.
- Use frozen spinach (a 10 oz block) instead of fresh, stirred in with the pasta.
- Finish with a spoon of ricotta or a pinch of chili flakes.
Leftovers
Keeps 3–4 days. Add a splash of water when reheating, because the pasta keeps absorbing sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How much liquid do you need for one-pot pasta?
About 4½ cups of liquid for 12 oz of dried pasta, counting the tomato juice. If the pot dries out before the pasta is tender, add water half a cup at a time.
Can I use gluten-free pasta?
Yes, but gluten-free pasta usually needs a little less time and more stirring. Start checking at 8 minutes.