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 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time15 minutesmins
Course: pasta
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: One-pot pasta recipes
Servings: 4
Author: Katia
Ingredients
1 Tbspolive oil or extra virgin olive oil, plus more to drizzle if you wish
3garlic cloves, minced
½ tsppaprika
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.