• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Appetizers
  • Pasta
  • Soups
  • Salads
  • Vegan
  • Oven baked
  • Sweets
  • Recipe collections
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    The clever meal
    • Home
    • Recipe Index
      • Appetizers
      • Pasta & Grains
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Vegan
      • Oven-baked
      • Sweets
      • Collections
    • About

    FOR FREE WEEKLY RECIPES!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    One-Pot Pasta Recipes: 9 Easy Ideas!

    Feb 26, 2021 by Katia · Leave a Comment

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.

    A collage of four different one-pot pasta recipes.
    A collage of four different one-pot pasta recipes.

    I’ve gathered all my easy one-pot pasta recipes in one place for you to enjoy. They’re crazy delicious, full of vegetables or beans, and budget-friendly too.

    They make the perfect one-pot family meals on busy weeknights: easy, full of flavor, nourishing and so convenient.
    Added bonus? You cook everything in one-pot, and you can call it dinner.

    Top view of one pot pasta with white beans, cherry tomatoes and spinach.
    One-pot white bean pasta

    Pasta has been a staple in my house for as long as I can remember. Essentially, I’ve grown up eating all sort of pastas, but these one-pot pasta recipes with vegetables, legumes and Italian cheese are still some of my favorite go-to meals. Maximum flavor, nutrition, and minimum cleanup!

    Video: white bean pasta

    Why to love one-pot pasta recipes

    Let see why these one-pot pasta recipes are a game changer:

    • Firstly , one of great things is that you have ONLY ONE POT TO WASH.
      You don’t cook and drain your pasta separately, but everything cook together in the same pot. Perfect for those busy nights!
    • You can add PLENTY OF NUTRIENTS.
      These versatile one-pot pasta recipes can be easily adapted and transformed into balanced meals with the addition of more veggies and plant-based protein. And If you switch to whole-grain pasta you’ll get more natural fiber and micronutrients!
    • Cooking all in one pot let the DELICIOUS FLAVORS mingle together!
      Basically, the pasta absorbs all the flavor from the liquid which can be either garlic tomato sauce or broth with herbs and diced vegetables (soffritto).
      Plus, the pasta releases its starch making the sauce deliciously thick and glossy.
    • Another great bonus about these one-pot recipes is the CONVENIENCE.
      They require cupboard staples or inexpensive fresh ingredients (apart from the parmesan cheese, a bit expensive but worth it!). They’re also easy to put together and make delicious, filling family meals.

    1. White bean pasta

    This quick white bean pasta makes a wonderful one-pot family meal ready in less than 15 minutes. It’s everything you want in a pasta dish: it’s comforting, packed with fresh ingredients, protein, veggies, and it’s no fuss.

    Top view of a grey dish full of one-pot white bean pasta with spinach and cherry tomatoes.

    2. Tomato basil pasta

    This easy one-pot tomato basil pasta recipe with ricotta requires minimal effort, and it’s ready in less than 20 minutes. It’s a delicious cozy family meal perfect for on-the-go weeknights!

    Top view of a bowl full or one-pot penne pasta with tomato sauce. A blue napkin and slice of brea din the background.

    3. Italian pasta with lentils

    I’ve been cooking this Italian pasta with lentils for ages, it has been one of my favorite staples since I was a kid. I love its simplicity, the thick texture, the fact that it’s healthy, and requires only one pot and minimal ingredients.

    Close-up of a white bowl full of one-pot pasta with lentils over a white background.

    4. One-pot Italian Pasta with peas

    Another delicious family one-pot pasta recipe! This pasta with peas makes is super quick to make, it requires only 5 ingredients and you can use either fresh or convenient frozen peas, whatever makes your life easier. It’s so convenient yet good, definitely a family hit!

    Top view of a white bowl full of one-pot pasta with peas over a white background.

    5. One-pot penne with pesto

    This scrumptious penne with pesto is a simple one-pot pasta recipe that features delicious pesto and fluffy potatoes! It comes together in about 20 minutes and makes a super delicious, kid-friendly family meal.

    Top view of a white plate full of penne with pesto, potatoes, abd cherry tomatoes cooked together in one pot.

    6. Pasta with chickpeas

    Another Italian recipe to transform cheap cupboard essentials into a fabulous, healthy meal that everyone loves. This one pot pasta with chickpeas is vegan, inexpensive, and packed with plant-based protein. It’s more similar to a soup, but totally delicious!

    A blue bowl with one pot pasta with ceci over a white background.

    7. Pumpkin pasta

    If you’re a pumpkin lover looking for lazy but delicious recipes, this creamy pumpkin pasta is for you! A simple budget-friendly one-pot pasta dish, a breeze to make in one pot, but full of flavor, and ready in 20 minutes. Kids love it!

    Top view of a white plate full of pumpkin pasta, a small bowl with dried sage in the background.

    8. Italian pasta with potatoes

    What to make when you’ve got nothing in the fridge? This traditional dish, originating from Southern Italy, is a supreme example of how to turn humble ingredients or leftovers into something SO good. It’s so easy, virtually fat free and if you skip the parmesan cheese, it’s vegan too!

    Top view of a white plate full with pasta with potatoes with small pieces of carrots and some parsley.

    9. Pasta e fagioli recipe

    This pasta e fagioli recipe, also known as pasta fazool or pasta with beans, is one of my favorite comforting one-pot pasta recipes, loaded with plant-based protein and budget-friendly. It’s so thick, satisfying, and totally delicious!

    Close-up of a white bowl full of easy one-pot pasta with beans over a white background.

    Tips to cook one-pot pasta recipes

    Here what you need to make sure that your one pot pasta is cooked properly:

    • Pasta to broth ratio is important. Too much water and you’ll end up with a soup, too little water and the pasta will stick miserably to the bottom of the pot. My advice is to follow the recipe, and add a touch of water only if needed.
    • Use good-quality durum wheat semolina pasta. I wouldn’t use alternative pastas like gluten-free or chickpea since they absorb water differently. 
    • Use a thick and heavy pot if possible (e.g. Dutch oven), that helps to transfer the heat evenly.
    • Use a burner that is close in size to your pot for the same reason mentioned above.
    • Use a consistent simmer throughout the cooking time, that prevents the pasta from getting soggy.
    • Stir frequently and keep the lid on to trap steam.

    Pasta brands matter!

    Not all pasta is created equal. When you chose pasta, check the label and go for durum wheat semolina pasta made with brass or bronze dies. Although this premium quality pasta is more expensive, it’s also more resilient and keeps its texture and firm bite for long, while basic pasta gets overcooked way too easily, especially in one-pot recipes.

    Looking for more easy pasta recipes?

    Whether you look for quick and easy pastas to put together in less than 15 minutes, or delicious vegan pasta ideas, here are two of my popular collection of pasta recipes:

    • 13+ Super quick pasta recipes
    • 35 vegan pasta recipes

    I hope you’ll enjoy these one-pot pasta recipes as much as we do! And let me know if you have any questions, I would love to hear from you x

    Top view of a plate full of one pot pasta with beans.
    Print Recipe

    ONE-POT PASTA RECIPES: white bean pasta

    These one-pot pasta recipes are a fantastic go-to meals on busy weeknights, perfect for delicious meatless dinners too. This white bean pasta is one of our favorites, full of flavor and ready in less than 15 minutes!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: pasta
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Keyword: One-pot pasta recipes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Katia

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tbsp olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, plus more to drizzle if you wish
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • ½ tsp paprika
    • ¼ or ⅛ tsp  chili flakes*
    • 1 can (15 oz)  cannellini beans, or Great Northern beans
    • ⅛ tsp  freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 ½ cups  (600 ml) water or low sodium vegetable broth* 
    • ½ tsp  fine salt, or according to taste
    • 8 oz  (220 grams) short pasta shapes (fusilli, penne, bow ties…)
    • 4 oz (120 grams) baby spinach, washed 
    • 4 oz (120 grams) cherry tomatoes, cut into halves
    • 2 oz (60 grams) 2 oz (60 grams) freshly grated parmesan, plus more to serve if you wish

    Instructions

    • Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant and smells good, about 45 seconds.  
    • Add paprika, chili flakes, beans, black pepper, and give a good stir
    • Add hot water or low sodium vegetable broth, salt, turn to high heat and bring to the boil.
    • Stir in pasta, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover with a lid and cook stirring frequently. The amount of liquid is enough to partially cover the pasta (but keep an eye on it to make sure the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot, and add a touch of water if needed).
    • In the last 2 minutes of the pasta's cooking time, add fresh spinach, a handful at a time, and cherry tomatoes. Stir until the spinach is wilted, it takes a couple of minutes.
    • Turn off the heat, finish the dish with freshly grated parmesan, and give a good stir until the cheese melts and the pasta looks well combined (taste and adjust the season according to your taste if needed).
    • Serve immediately with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, more freshly ground black pepper and parmesan cheese if you like. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *Chili flakes (or crushed red pepper): add the spice according to your liking. If you feed children, you might want to use only ⅛ tsp.
     
    Liquid:  ½ cup of water is an estimate. While the pasta is cooking, you might want to add a touch of water gradually, if needed. 
     
    Parmesan cheese: use freshly grated parmesan cheese that melts well and tastes much better than store-bought grated cheese. 
    « Chickpea Recipes: 27 fabulous ideas
    Focaccia with Olives (Easy | No-Knead) »

    JOIN MY NEWSLETTER FOR FREE WEEKLY RECIPES!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I’m Katia! Welcome to my blog where I share easy, delicious, and budget-friendly recipes. I love cooking mainly vegetarian meals in no time at all. Minimum effort, maximum result. Read more…

    Keep in touch

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    JOIN MY NEWSLETTER FOR FREE WEEKLY RECIPES!

    search

    Trending now

    Creamy lemon ricotta pasta with spinach on a white plate.

    EASY LEMON RICOTTA PASTA & SPINACH

    Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil on a grey plate.

    SPAGHETTI WITH GARLIC AND OLIVE OIL

    Five bowls of colorful weight loss soups over a white marble background.

    15+ HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS SOUPS (UNDER 200 CALORIES)

    Delicious cream cheese pasta served on a blue bowl with a fork.

    10-MINUTE CREAM CHEESE PASTA

    A top view of a white bowl full of white bean soup over a wooden background.

    THE BEST WHITE BEAN SOUP

    Four images showing four different healthy cakes.

    20 WHOLESOME & HEALTHY CAKE RECIPES

    Assortment of vegan appetizers on a black round tray.

    50 DELICIOUS AND EASY VEGAN APPETIZERS

    A knife cutting a healthy yogurt cake into slices over a white background.

    YOGURT CAKE (one-bowl)

    BROWSE RECIPES

    PASTA & GRAIN RECIPES

    SOUP RECIPES

    SALAD RECIPES

    VEGAN RECIPES

    OVEN-BAKED RECIPES

    SWEET RECIPES

    MEAL PREP RECIPES

    Copyright © 2018–2023 The clever Meal · All Right Reserved
    PRIVACY POLICY · FAQ · CONTACT ME