Meghan Markle Pasta Recipe
on Mar 19, 2025, Updated Apr 24, 2025
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Let me introduce you to my version of the Meghan Markle Pasta Recipe. This is going to be controversial, but this one-pot pasta recipe is actually incredible. Inspired by the new Netflix series “With Love, Meghan,” I attempted to make my own pasta fit for a princess 😉. Let’s get two things straight: despite Italians disapproving of this unconventional way of cooking pasta, I can confirm that this method is easy and delicious 👌.
And yes, I know it’s “Meghan of Sussex,” not Markle 👑. Now that that business is out of the way, let’s dive in to what makes this dish so incredible. Cooking pasta in just enough water to cover it, with seasoning and sauce ingredients, forces all the pasta starch to remain in the pot and transform into a creamy, luxurious, flavorful sauce. Not to mention, you only have to clean one dish 🙌! Cherry tomatoes 🍅 bring tart, sweetness and Parmigiano cheese 🧀 lends nuttiness and umami. You do not want to sleep on this 1000/10 recipe!
Why You’ll Love The Meghan Markle Pasta Recipe
What’s not to love about this one-pot wonder: comes together in under 20 minutes ⏲, no stirring or emulsifying, budget-friendly 💸, and incredibly customizable to whatever you have in the fridge and pantry. Let’s hear it for low-effort meals 📣! You can add pretty much any vegetables you have lying around—zucchini, bell peppers, cauliflower, you name it 🍅🌶🥦. Any pasta shape will do; you can even make this with mini pasta shapes, such as orzo or ditalini, and adjust the cook time according to the directions on the pasta packaging. Next time it’s you against the clock to get dinner on the table before you explode of hanger, whip up this show-stopping recipe.
When I saw our princess making this pasta it looks so yummy I made it with my 5 yr old daughter the same day. And boy was it yummy. I would totally buy a cook book from her.
– Angela Rodriguez
How to Prepare
🥘 In a large pan with tall sides, add the garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, and two big pinches of salt.
💧Add the dry spaghetti on top and top with the water, which should be just enough to cover the ingredients.
🔥 Bring the contents to a boil, cover, and cook on medium-high heat until the pasta is al dente; about 8 to 12 minutes. You may need to uncover the pot every few minutes and give the pasta a stir, to prevent clumping.
🧀 Remove the pan from the heat, and add the spinach right away, so it cooks from the residual heat. Next, add the grated cheese and stir everything well. The stirring should produce a luscious, creamy sauce.
🍽 Finally, serve and enjoy!
Nonna’s Tip 🍝
You can make this recipe with any pasta shape you like—from orzo to rigatoni. Let the cook time on the pasta packaging be your guide ⏲.
Variations and Substitutions for The Meghan Markle Pasta Recipe
- In place of or in addition to tomatoes, you can also use zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, or any quick-cooking vegetable you love 🥒🥦.
- You can make this recipe with any pasta shape you like—from orzo to rigatoni. Let the cook time on the pasta packaging be your guide ⏲.
- There are so many delicious ways to garnish this dish: fresh lemon zest 🍋, a handful of arugula, a sprinkling of red pepper flakes, or more grated cheese.
- Instead of spinach, you can also use other leafy greens: thinly sliced chard, kale, or any greens of your liking 🥬.
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Best Served With
- You’ll probably want some bread to mop up all the delicious pasta sauce. Try my viral No Knead Bread. So easy! 🥖
- My family’s beloved Simple Green Salad is a crowd-pleasing side with any meal 🥗.
- I know Meghan would approve of serving this alongside an elegant platter of branzino 🐟.
- For a bit of added crunch, sprinkle some homemade Italian Breadcrumbs, lightly toasted in olive oil, on top of the finished dish.
Kid-Friendly Tips
This is such a great meal for serving diners of all ages. To make this super kid-friendly, consider using a fun shape, like orzo, farfalle, or fusilli. If your children are old enough, have them get involved in picking which vegetables to add to the dish, and letting them top the pasta with grated cheese. If your kids won’t eat greens, you can always serve up their dishes, and then add the greens to the remaining pasta in the warm pan.
Common Questions
Certainly, you can make this with any shape. Just be sure to follow the cook time on the pasta packaging as guidance.
Absolutely! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta, and be sure to check for doneness well before the suggested cooking time on the packaging.
Absolutely! The finished pasta would be fantastic topped with some chicken or alongside some branzino.
Simply swap out the Parmigiano Reggiano for your favorite shredded dairy-free cheese or a few dollops of a creamy, spreadable dairy-free cheese.
You can also make this in a large pot. Remember to only add enough water to just cover the ingredients. No lid? Use tin foil secured across the top of the pan or pot instead.
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Meghan Markle Pasta
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large pan with tall sides, add the garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, and two big pinches of salt.
- Add the dry spaghetti on top (break in half, if necessary, to fit in the pan—don't tell any Italians 🤫) and top with the water, which should be just enough to cover the ingredients.
- Bring the contents to a boil, cover, and cook on medium-high heat until the pasta is al dente; about 8 to 12 minutes. Depending on the size of your pan and brand of pasta, you may need to uncover the pot every few minutes and give the pasta a stir, to prevent clumping.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and add the spinach right away, so it cooks from the residual heat. Add the grated cheese and stir everything well. The stirring should produce a luscious, creamy sauce. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- A Note on Water Level: You want the water to just cover the ingredients. They shouldn’t be swimming around. While checking on the dish as it cooks, if the water level seems too low, add about 1/4 cup water at at time.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta, and be sure to check for doneness well before the suggested cooking time on the packaging.
- Dairy-Free: Simply swap out the Parmigiano Reggiano for your favorite shredded dairy-free cheese or a few dollops of a creamy, spreadable dairy-free cheese.
- Adding Protein: You can easily increase the protein on this recipe by mixing in a big spoonful of cottage cheese to the finished dish. Or garnish the finished dish with cooked, sliced chicken, shrimp, salmon, or scallops.
- Nutrition Note: This recipe makes 2 servings. One serving is 605 calories with 24 grams protein.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So tasty! I attempted to make her recipe on my own and failed but this recipe nailed it. I did add some fresh basil from my garden, as well and a few grounds of peppercorn. Loved it! Thank you!!
Fresh basil from the garden sounds lovely, McKenzie. I’m so happy this recipe worked for you. Thank you for trying it! ❤️
My daughter turned me on to this recipe. It is now my favorite pasta dish. I also added bulk Italian sausage to it at my husband’s request.
This is delicious!!! I’ve made it twice and tweaked it a bit. But basically it’s good as is. And so easy – love the one pan!
Thanks, Sue! I’ll have to try the Italian sausage – that sounds amazing! ❤️
I’ve never made pasta like this before, really great!!!
So glad you gave it a chance! ❤️
This was absolutely delicious, will definitely make it again. Ate 3 plated of it. Then today I had it for breakfast. Made it my own with additional seasons. But the baseline was good. I got it down to 15 minutes including prep; I’m fast. No time to look at it. Get ‘er done.
I love to hear it! 😂 I agree, it is a really great baseline recipe to add your own special touch!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. We loved it.
I’m so glad you loved it! 😊
Cooked exactly as recipe indicated. I did not find it “creamy@, I found it very watery. I poured out some of the water prior to adding the spinach and cheese, but it was still too watery. I even tried adding a little more cheese. Also too bland for my taste. Don’t get me wrong, I really wanted it to work. I saw somebody on FB making it, he complimented Meghan and said it was very tasty.
Thank you for your honest review! 💕 I found the key to making this work is having a wide pan with enough space so that there’s only one layer of noodles. That way it takes less water to cover them. Also, feel free to add any herbs and spices you want to make it more flavorful. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you – I know you really wanted it to! If you should ever feel inspired to try again, hopefully this tip will help!
I would say if it was watery, you may have had too much liquid. Also – i have found using chicken or vegetable broth is a great way to amp up the flavor.
This wa so easy for me to make. I gauged the amount of water. I’m not a real big fan of garlic, however, this dish does not have a garlicky taste. Big plus! I will definitely be making it again
I’m so happy you liked it Cecile! Looks yum!
Made it many times and it’s the best! We’ve added chicken sausage for protein and it’s wonderful. Great meal, add some bread for the sauce.
Yum, chicken sausage is such a good addition. I’m so happy you love this Alyssa! Thank you!
I am 90 years old and my mother and grand mother made this recipe, it is not a new recipe because it has been around for years and when your cooking o a one burner stove ,let’s just say that it’s been done before.
I’m so happy to hear that 3 generations have enjoyed recipes like this one!
Just tried this one-pot pasta and wow—it seriously delivered! So simple to throw together, and the flavor is awesome! Creamy, cozy, and super satisfying without a ton of effort.