Meghan Markle has once again attempted to present something old as a groundbreaking innovation, this time with her so-called one-pan pasta.
The problem is that this so-called new creation bears a striking resemblance to spaghetti all'assassina, a traditional Italian dish that Stanley Tucci already introduced to the world in 2022. Unlike Markle’s simplified version, Tucci’s rendition is a true culinary masterpiece, rich in tradition and technique. Meghan’s take, on the other hand, is a watered-down imitation at best. One can only imagine Tucci shaking his head somewhere in disappointment.
If Markle’s latest culinary revelation seemed oddly familiar, you’re not alone. It took a moment, but then the realization hit—Stanley Tucci had already showcased something far superior in 2022. Spaghetti all'assassina is a dish with history, depth of flavor, and a cooking technique that goes beyond simply throwing ingredients into a pot and hoping for the best. In his Emmy-winning series Searching for Italy, Tucci explored this dish alongside master chef Kelo Laforgia, demonstrating the precise method behind its signature crispiness. Unlike Meghan’s uninspired one-pot approach, this dish has deep-rooted culinary significance. The technique is deliberate—you don’t just dump everything into a single pan like a college student making a midnight snack. The pasta is toasted in oil first, giving it a distinctive char, then gradually cooked with tomato sauce and liquid, risotto-style. The result is a caramelized, slightly crunchy masterpiece—not a mushy, flavorless concoction that looks like it was made in a dorm room.
The fact that Meghan's version is being hailed as her own recipe is enough to make any Italian grandmother gasp in horror. As expected, TikTok has run wild with videos celebrating her pasta dish as if she were the mastermind behind this so-called innovation. But let’s be clear—she has taken a traditional cooking method, stripped it of its soul, and served up the culinary equivalent of store-brand cereal in luxury packaging. If she had simply acknowledged that she was inspired by spaghetti all'assassina or one of the many regional pasta dishes that use similar techniques, no one would bat an eye. But of course, this is Meghan Markle, and she can’t just say, “Hey, I borrowed an old Italian cooking method.” Instead, it has to be presented as something entirely her own, reinventing the wheel one poorly executed meal at a time.
And then there’s the issue of flavor—or, in Meghan’s case, the complete lack of it. Anyone with a decent palate knows that boiling basil into oblivion is a culinary crime. Instead of preserving its bright, aromatic notes, it turns into something that tastes like it’s been left in a glass of water overnight. The contrast between Tucci and Markle is simple: Tucci respects the craft, the culture, and the history. He doesn’t slap his name on something and call it innovation. He doesn’t just toss random ingredients into a pan and expect applause. He delivers, time and time again, with charm, humor, and a deep appreciation for the art of cooking.
Meghan’s version of pasta is to spaghetti all'assassina what a cheap photocopy is to the Mona Lisa—a poor imitation that somehow still gets undeserved praise. And yet, she is lauded as if she has just discovered fire, while Stanley Tucci continues to effortlessly charm the world, showcasing real food, real technique, and true culinary heritage. So, the next time someone raves about Meghan’s one-pan pasta, do yourself a favor—turn on Searching for Italy, watch Tucci’s episode on spaghetti all'assassina, and experience authentic cuisine made by people who actually know what they’re doing.
