
Super Simple One-Pan Tomato Spaghetti
Super Simple One-Pan Tomato Spaghetti
The Easiest One-Pan Meal Ever!
This recipe is a delicious Korean-inspired adaptation of the ‘One-Pan Pasta’ popularized by culinary researcher Nora Singley. Originally introduced to her in 2011 during a trip to Puglia, Italy, as a ‘recipe learned from my mother,’ this method is celebrated for its incredible simplicity and minimal cleanup. All you need is one pan or pot to cook the pasta, ingredients, and sauce together. It’s the perfect solution for busy days or when you want to enjoy a fantastic meal without a lot of fuss. The rich tomato sauce, savory Spam, and crisp vegetables create a delightful flavor combination that will tantalize your taste buds.
Main Ingredients- Spaghetti 100g
- 1 Onion (medium)
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper
- 1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper
- Spam 200g (1/2 can)
Sauce & Seasoning- Store-bought Tomato Pasta Sauce 150g
- 3 Tbsp Hot Sauce (or Sriracha)
- 500ml Water
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (optional)
- Pinch of Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Grated Parmesan Cheese (for garnish) as needed
- Store-bought Tomato Pasta Sauce 150g
- 3 Tbsp Hot Sauce (or Sriracha)
- 500ml Water
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (optional)
- Pinch of Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Grated Parmesan Cheese (for garnish) as needed
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the Spam into bite-sized pieces (about 1cm thick). Be careful not to cut it too thin, as it might break apart. Wash the onion and bell peppers (red and yellow), remove the seeds, and then slice them into strips about 0.5cm thick. They will soften as they cook, so you don’t need to chop them too finely.
Step 2
Prepare a wide and deep frying pan or pot. Lightly coating the bottom of the pan with olive oil can help prevent the ingredients from sticking. (Optional)
Step 3
Add the cut Spam, sliced onion, and sliced bell peppers to the pan. Then, arrange the 100g of spaghetti neatly on top. The charm of one-pan pasta is that you can add the spaghetti without breaking it.
Step 4
Now it’s time to add the sauce and water. Pour 150g of store-bought tomato pasta sauce and 3 tablespoons of hot sauce into the center of the pan. Add 500ml of water until the ingredients are mostly submerged. Finally, season with a pinch of salt and black pepper to your taste. (Since Spam and pasta sauce are already salty, you can adjust the salt later.)
Step 5
Cover the pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and gently stir occasionally to prevent the spaghetti from sticking together. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
Step 6
Turn off the heat when the sauce is reduced to a consistency where it coats the pasta and ingredients nicely. If it seems too dry, add a little more water. If you prefer it saucier, simmer a bit longer until the sauce reduces further. This is a good time to taste and add more salt if needed.
Step 7
Transfer the finished pasta to a serving plate. Garnish generously with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful finish. Enjoy your delicious one-pan pasta while it’s hot!

