Meghan Markle has sparked debate with her unconventional one-pot spaghetti recipe, featured in the first episode of her Netflix series ‘With Love, Meghan.’
The Duchess of Sussex demonstrates her "skillet spaghetti," a dish she claims to cook regularly for Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet.
Unlike traditional methods, which involve boiling pasta in a large pot of salted water, Meghan’s approach involves pouring three cups of boiling water directly over raw spaghetti and cooked ingredients in a skillet, then covering it to cook.
The recipe has drawn mixed reactions, with TikTok sensation and pasta expert Danny Freeman, known as "Danny Loves Pasta," weighing in.
With over 1.5 million followers, Freeman is known for his creative takes on Italian cuisine.
In a recent video, he tested Meghan’s method, calling it "the most controversial pasta in the world right now."
@dannylovespasta Try the Meghan Markle Pasta! She doesn’t really give an exact recipe, but after watching what she does, here’s my writeup of her Single Skillet Spaghetti Recipe: 1. Bring 3 1/2 cups water to a boil in a tea kettle. Meanwhile, slice 2 cups cherry tomatoes in half. Add them to a skillet along with 3 cloves minced garlic. Drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. 2. Add 1 pound spaghetti to the skillet, and then cover with the zest of 1 lemon. Chop the stems of 2 to 3 pieces of Swiss Chard or Lacinato Kale and add them to the skillet. 3. Add the boiling water to the skillet, cover, and then cook over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes. Remove the cover, then the leaves of your chard or kale, loosely chopped. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. 4. Remove from the heat and add in a pinch of red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup arugula, and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan. Toss together and serve.
♬ original sound - Danny Loves Pasta
While acknowledging the recipe’s lack of precision, he recreated it based on her demonstration.
Freeman began by sautéing cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, though he noted he would typically cook the garlic first for more flavour.
He then layered raw spaghetti, lemon zest, and Swiss chard stems in the skillet, as per Meghan’s instructions.
The controversial step came when he added boiling water directly to the skillet, allowing the pasta to cook in the starchy liquid, which Freeman admitted could create a creamy sauce without cream.
After cooking, Meghan’s recipe calls for adding red pepper flakes, parmesan, and arugula.
Freeman humorously noted that his children, unlike Archie and Lilibet, would likely avoid the greens.
Despite this, he praised the dish’s simplicity and texture, even though he suggested using broth instead of water for added flavour.
Ultimately, Freeman gave Meghan’s one-pot spaghetti his approval, calling it a quick, convenient meal with a creamy sauce.
While acknowledging its mild flavour, he endorsed the method, declaring it a "keeper."
IOL Lifestyle