Name: One Pot Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces dry pasta*; 1 cup whole cherry tomatoes; 1/2 roughly chopped yellow onion; 1 cup broccoli florets; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 tbsp olive oil; 4 cloves minced garlic; 2.5 cups water; 8 oz tomato sauce; 1/2 tsp sugar; 1/2 tsp salt (add more to taste); 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional ); 1 cup coconut milk; ~2 cups fresh spinach; parmesan cheese (choose a df version if vegan (I love Follow Your Heart)); fresh basil leaves

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For a super quick, hassle-free weeknight dinner this one pot pasta is a winner! There’s nothing easier than throwing it all in one pot and having a cozy, convenient, and and comforting meal in just 15 minutes.

What you’ll love about this:

Easy – Essentially an effortless recipe because you are just going to toss it all in a pot and 15 minutes later you have a gorgeous, dreamy pasta dish!
Flavorful – A tomato-y, creamy, lick-the-bowl good veggie pasta dish
Healthy– Packed with veggies – you’ll feel so good eating this! Trust me!
Vegan, dairy-free, & gluten-free – if you choose a gf pasta

Have you ever wondered- how does One Pot Pasta actually work?

So it works like this – literally throw all your veggies, pasta, sauce, and liquid in one pot, let all the flavors simmer and swirl together and before you know it you have a heavenly pasta dish in just 15 minutes! As the pasta cooks, the water reduces, and the starches in the pasta are released and create a creamy, yummy sauce!

With the addition some herbs, garlic, and a little coconut milk you have the ultimate luscious dreamy pasta dish, perfect for the weeknight! Also I love that this one’s packed with so many veggies so you feel so good after eating it.

Simple Ingredients for One-Pot Pasta

8 ounces short pasta, uncooked*
Veggies*
Tomato sauce
Garlic, Herbs
Coconut milk (for creaminess)

*See below for more information.

See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.

What type of noodles are best for One-Pot Pasta?

Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, and farfalle are ideal for one-pot pasta dishes because they cook evenly and absorb flavors well. I personally avoid long, thin noodles like spaghetti, as they have clumped together more during the cooking process.

What types of veggies should I use?

In my pasta, I used a combination of cherry tomatoes, broccoli, peas, and spinach -but you can customize this to your liking! This would also be delicious with some mushrooms, zucchini, colorful peppers, and more. This is supposed to be a hassle-free recipe, so use whatever you’ve got in that fridge (including veggies on the brink of going bad!)

How to Make One Pot Pasta

Add it all to the Pot

Add your dry pasta to a large pot. Add the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT the coconut milk and spinach and mix well. Drizzle over the some olive oil. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat.

Cook & Stir

Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to LOW/MEDIUM. Cook the pasta for 10-15 minutes, or until it is al-dente (not mushy). I suggest stirring in every few minutes to prevent veggies or pasta from sticking to the bottom.

Tip: The cooking time is dependent on what pasta you choose. Check the package instructions for the suggested cook time and make sure to check the pasta for doneness as it nears the minimum cook time.

Add Coconut Milk & Spinach

Once the pasta is cooked through, use the back of your spoon to mash some of the whole tomatoes (this is super fun!)

Take the pot off the heat and add the coconut milk and spinach.

Serve

Serve right away and top with fresh parmesan cheese and/or basil leaves.

Can I use a pan instead of a pot?

Yep! Just make sure it has taller sides so your dish doesn’t overflow.

Add some protein to your One-Pot Pasta

There are some great plant-based protein options for this pasta.

Vegan chicken – (I love the one from Gardein). I would recommend adding this at the end after defrosting.
Chickpeas – You can add these in the beginning and they won’t become mush!
Tofu – Add this on top of each individual serving. I love my easy Crispy Air Fryer Tofu for this!
Edamame – Add these at the end (defrosted).
Nutritional yeast – Sprinkle some on top or mix it in for a little cheesy protein boost!

Can I use broth instead of water for more flavor?

Definitely! You can add a low-sodium vegetable broth for a more flavorful pasta dish.

How to add more rich flavor to One-Pot Pasta

Consider cooking with vegetable broth instead of water.
Use fresh herbs instead of 1 tsp of Italian herbs. I love to add a sprig of thyme or rosemary for more flavor!
Incorporate cheese into the sauce. I love to stir in Follow Your Heart Parmesan cheese for extra creaminess!
Add a splash of high quality olive oil for richness.

One Pot Pasta

What you’ll love about this:

Simple Ingredients for One-Pot Pasta