Super Simple One-Pan Cream Pasta
Creamy One-Pan Pasta Without Heavy Cream: Effortlessly Make This Delicious Dish with Ingredients You Already Have, As Easy As Making Ramen!
Hello everyone! It seems like many people are still dealing with the lingering effects of the recent pandemic, and I was one of them, feeling quite under the weather for a few days. Thankfully, I’m starting to feel much better now. Please take care of your health! When you’re unwell, cooking or dining out is out of the question, so I plan to share some recipes I’ve been saving. First up is a ‘one-pan cream pasta’ that’s as simple as making ramen. There’s no need to boil pasta separately or make a sauce from scratch – everything cooks in one pan, making it incredibly easy and delicious for anyone to prepare!
Main Ingredients- 80g Spaghetti
- 1/4 can Spam (or substitute with bacon or sausage)
- 6 Frozen Shrimp (optional)
- 1/2 Onion
Rich Creamy Sauce- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 300ml Milk
- 300ml Water
- 1 Slice Processed Cheese
- 1/2 Chicken Stock Cube (or 1/2 Tbsp liquid chicken stock, or a dash of oyster sauce)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 300ml Milk
- 300ml Water
- 1 Slice Processed Cheese
- 1/2 Chicken Stock Cube (or 1/2 Tbsp liquid chicken stock, or a dash of oyster sauce)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, lightly rinse the frozen shrimp under cold water. Thinly slice the Spam and onion into bite-sized pieces. If you don’t have Spam, feel free to use bacon or other sausages you have on hand. Onions add a wonderful sweetness and depth of flavor, so I highly recommend including them. You can also add finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for extra texture and taste.
Step 2
Now, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. While sliced garlic looks pretty, minced garlic releases a more intense garlic aroma. Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced onions and sauté until they become translucent. Then, add the Spam and shrimp, stirring to combine. You don’t need to cook these ingredients thoroughly at this stage, as they will cook further when the pasta is simmered. Just sauté them lightly to enhance their flavors.
Step 3
Pour in the 300ml of water and 300ml of milk. Add the spaghetti to the pan, arranging it so it fits. Drop in the chicken stock cube and let it simmer together until the pasta is cooked to al dente, which takes about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 4
Once the sauce is bubbling and the pasta is about 70-80% cooked, add 1 slice of processed cheese. The cheese will help season the sauce and give it a wonderfully thick, creamy texture. If you love cheese, feel free to add a second slice. Once the cheese has melted and is well incorporated into the sauce, taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. I added just a pinch. A little goes a long way!
Step 5
Transfer the finished pasta to a serving plate. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and freshly grind some black pepper over the top. Adding a touch of olive oil at the end enhances the aroma and flavor beautifully. For an extra gourmet touch, you could also use truffle oil instead of olive oil! And remember, adding pepper just before serving preserves its fresh aroma better than cooking it into the sauce. Voila! Your incredibly simple and delicious one-pan cream pasta is ready. Enjoy your meal!
