Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
A plate of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, fresh basil leaves, and grated cheese. The noodles are neatly arranged, garnished with vibrant green herbs, and the dish is presented in a white speckled bowl on a light-colored surface.
Print Recipe
4.86 from 28 votes

Meghan Markle Pasta

This one-pot wonder is a 1000/10. Pasta cooks in the same pot as the sauce and toppings and all the starchy cooking water transforms into a luscious sauce, fit for a princess 👑😉
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: easy dinner, Meghan Markle pasta, one pot dinner
Servings: 2 Portions
Author: The Modern Nonna

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 7 cloves garlic sliced
  • 25 cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • ½ pound spaghetti
  • 3.5 cups boiling water
  • big handful baby spinach
  • ⅓ cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese grated
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large pan with tall sides, add the garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, and two big pinches of salt.
    A hand is sprinkling sliced garlic from a small glass dish into a bowl filled with halved cherry tomatoes. In the background, there are bowls and a cutting board on a light wood surface.
  • 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.
    A bowl of uncooked spaghetti, halved cherry tomatoes, and garlic cloves is being filled with hot water from a kettle, set against a kitchen background.
  • 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!
    A hand adding fresh spinach to a pot of spaghetti with tomato sauce. The bright green spinach contrasts with the red sauce and yellow pasta, creating a vibrant and colorful dish.

Video

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

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 605kcal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 311mg | Potassium: 857mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2577IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 4mg
QR Code linking back to recipe