Meghan Markle’s Viral One-Pot Pasta Receives a Warm, Homemade Twist

Hey, I’m Irina—a content creator, food photographer, and passionate home cook living in Lyon, France. I’m also a busy mama to a super energetic 5-year-old who keeps life anything but boring. When I get invited to dinner, I’m usually that guest who shows up with something a little unexpected—usually inspired by the latest viral food trend online.

So when I saw Meghan Markle’s one-pot pasta from her Netflix doc With Love, Meghan (yep, you can watch it on Netflix), I had to try it out. No way was I skipping a recipe that’s blown up all over TikTok and YouTube cooking channels.

This pasta is blowing up for a reason. It’s the kind of easy one-pot recipe that’s perfect for busy people like me who still want a fresh, tasty meal. Everything goes into one pot—no mess, no stress. Less cleanup, more flavor. It’s honestly a dream if you’re into quick weeknight dinners, easy pasta recipes, or just want something simple that still feels a bit fancy.

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Let’s get into the recipe!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total: Under 20 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 200g spaghetti
• 250g cherry tomatoes (a mix of orange, yellow, and red works great)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Zest of 1 lemon (add a little juice if you like)
• About 75cl boiling water
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• A few fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil
• Roasted pistachios (my secret twist!)

How to Make Meghan Markle’s Viral One-Pot Pasta (In 5 Easy Steps)

Here’s how to make this super simple, super tasty one-pot pasta recipe that’s taken over TikTok and YouTube food channels. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner when you want something fresh but don’t feel like dealing with a ton of dishes.

1. Warm up the oil
Grab a large saucepan and pour in a good splash of extra virgin olive oil. Heat it over medium until it shimmers. Toss in some cherry tomatoes, sliced garlic, lemon zest, a pinch of salt, and the dry spaghetti. Yep, uncooked. Let all those flavors start mingling right from the start.

2. Add boiling water
Next, pour in boiling water—make sure it’s hot! This helps the pasta cook faster and soak up all those bright, fresh flavors. This trick is what makes one-pot pasta dishes so fast and flavorful.

3. Simmer the pasta
Cover the pan and let everything simmer gently for about 6–7 minutes. Give it a light stir now and then so the pasta doesn’t stick. Be gentle though—you don’t wanna break the noodles.

4. Add spinach and chili flakes
Stir in a handful of fresh spinach and a pinch of red chili flakes. Let it all cook uncovered for another 3–4 minutes until the pasta is al dente and the sauce thickens just a bit. The chili gives it a little kick, and the spinach makes it feel extra wholesome.

5. Finish with parmesan
Turn off the heat and stir in some grated parmesan cheese. It melts right in and turns the sauce super creamy and rich. You’re done!

Now you’ve got a fresh, easy meal that tastes like something way fancier. This dish is a go-to if you’re into easy dinner ideas, healthy pasta recipes, or just wanna impress with minimal effort. All done in under 20 minutes, all in one pot.

Let everything simmer and boil together – the pasta will absorb all the beautiful flavors!

At the very end spoon the pasta into a warm bowl, drizzle it with a touch of good olive oil, and scatter a few fresh basil leaves on top for that fragrant, garden-fresh lift

Then comes the magic touch—crushed roasted pistachios

They add a buttery crunch and a subtle nuttiness that makes every bite sing. It’s the perfect finishing touch that transforms a simple dish into something truly extraordinary.

This dish is a dream for busy weeknights or a slow, cozy lunch when you want something warm, comforting, and full of flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.

It’s wonderfully versatile—you can swap the spinach for peppery arugula, toss in a handful of sun-dried tomatoes, or add cooked chicken or chickpeas for a satisfying boost of protein. This is one of those rare recipes that feels both effortless and endlessly adaptable—perfect for getting creative, trusting your taste buds, and truly making it your own.

Colorful and irresistibly delicious one-pot pasta!

I tried Meghan’s version of the one-pot pasta, and yeah—it’s already a total winner. But of course, I had to add my own twist (including one secret ingredient that takes the flavor to another level—roasted pistachios!). Trust me, it adds a perfect crunch and a nutty kick that makes the dish feel extra special.

I also made a few small changes to make it even easier. Something more beginner-friendly and perfect for busy nights when you want a quick pasta recipe without the stress. This version is great if you’re into simple dinner ideas or just learning how to cook at home more often.

Have you given it a shot yet? I’d love to hear how yours turned out! Got your own secret ingredient? Drop it in the comments—or even better, tag me in your version. There’s something so fun about seeing how everyone adds their own touch to a trending dish. Let’s keep the pasta recipe inspiration going!