Can You Cook Pasta in the Sauce? (And How To)

We must share a secret with our readers who love pasta. What if we told you that you could save time, extra work and take away an extra step when cooking a pasta dish? The question is, “Is it possible to cook pasta in sauce?”

Yes, you can cook pasta in the sauce, and it saves time by taking away a step you do not need by boiling water first. It also eliminates the added work of cleaning another pot after cooking.

Step into our cooking family, and we will cover the steps to tackle this project, along with our special tips and more.

How Most People Cook Pasta Dishes

Most people will pull out two or three pots and get the kitchen area ready to begin the preparations and ingredients ready. One pot will cook the pasta, the other pot will cook the meat of choice with the sauce, and the last pot may be for the side dish.

On a high boil, they will get the pasta cooked down, which only takes about 10 to 12 minutes. Then there is the other pot; they will begin with the meat and sauce, which will go over the pasta when served at the end of the cooking session.

The third pot will have whatever side dish they choose.

Why Cook the Pasta In the Sauce?

Some of you may think it sounds strange or that it may be impossible. The end result will have you wondering why hasn’t anyone told you this before, and you may even be headed to cook your favorite pasta dish now to give it a try.

These are the benefits to reap when cooking pasta with sauce:

Saving time because it cuts out the step of cooking the pasta separately and going from one pot to another;
Spending less time cleaning up and washing less bulky pots;
The pasta soaks up the flavor as it cooks, so it adds the extra kick of flavor;
The sauce will thicken naturally due to the starch within the pasta.

What’s the Secret?

The secret is simple to cook pasta and the sauce in the same pot. It is actually an exciting science experiment on the stove. The critical factor is how much water you put in and how often you put it.

It will take some practice, but cooking uses all of the senses when doing this. If you are rushed or pressed for time, we advise you to take on this challenge when you can relax and take your time to enjoy the cooking experience.

Sight: It will take watching the pasta cook and knowing when to add the water. The visual will also tell you when the sauce is done simultaneously.
Smell: The aroma will be amazing. However, the smell will let you know you are on the right path to the best pasta dish you have ever had. Or it will tell you it is burning and that session is over.
Taste: This one is every chef’s favorite. The taste test lets you know if any flavor adjustments are needed. It will also let you know the pasta is done.
Listening: The flame is too high when you hear the pot boiling. If you hear the pot sizzling, it’s too far gone. It should only be a low to medium simmer.
Feel: As you stir, you will feel as if the pasta is cooked. It will not hurt to taste-test it if it is soft. Do not let the pasta fall to pieces while stirring. The density of the sauce will thicken as you stir.

Steps to Cooking Pasta in the Sauce

Here is the guide on how it all came together. If you follow these instructions and take your time, there should be no problems.

Special Note: If it is only the pasta and sauce with no meat, skip step 1.

Step 1: Cook the meat first. If it is ground meat, you will need to drain the grease. Any other meat you can leave in the pot because it will add flavor beyond belief.
Step 2: Put in the ingredients and seasonings. Everything that goes in, like mushrooms, veggies, garlic, bell peppers, or onions, goes in the pot to saute during this step.
Step 3: Pour the sauce and simmer on low to medium heat.
Step 4: Put the pasta in the pot and stir into the sauce.
Step 5: Add the water. There has to be enough water to cook the pasta on a boil. Start with half a cup, then move up to more as needed and stir until the pasta is soft and doesn’t fall apart.

Special Note: You will have to watch the sauce and the noodles. Once the noodles are tender, and the sauce thickens, the pasta pot is done. The trick is not letting anything stick to the pot or stick together. Everything should be loose while stirring.

When Not to Cook Pasta in the Sauce

The fifth step is the secret; if that step is not followed correctly with TLC, it won’t work. The only time you should not cook pasta in the sauce is when you are in a hurry and need the food immediately.

This is not a first-timer’s trial and error if the time is not there. Try using shells or macaroni before using pasta. The pasta may be challenging to handle for the first time.