Quick & Easy One Pot Pasta: Your 30-Minute Dinner Solution

One Pot Pasta Recipe: Ready in 30 Minutes

Introduction

If you’re craving a delicious, comforting meal that won’t leave you with a sink full of dishes, this One Pot Pasta Recipe is your solution. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a mouthwatering pasta dish that’s rich in flavor and incredibly simple to prepare. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need to feed a crowd quickly, this recipe delivers hearty, satisfying results with minimal mess.

The Magic of a One Pot Pasta Recipe

What makes this one pot pasta so special is its unbeatable combination of convenience and flavor. As the pasta simmers alongside veggies, seasonings, and sauce, the flavors meld beautifully, creating a perfectly coated, creamy result. With only one pot, this recipe saves you time both cooking and cleaning—pure weeknight dinner bliss!

Effortless Flavor Layering in One Pot

Sauté onions and garlic directly in your cooking pot, then add tomatoes, pasta, broth, and seasonings. Everything cooks together, so the pasta absorbs all those savory flavors while releasing starch to naturally thicken the sauce. No need to boil pasta separately—just one pot and a little stirring create a seamlessly flavorful dish.

Simple Steps for a Fuss Free Dinner

Start by sautéing aromatics, followed by building your sauce and finishing with pasta and broth. Simmer everything together until the pasta is al dente, then stir in cheese and fresh herbs for a restaurant-worthy finish.

Serving Suggestions to Elevate Your Pasta

Top your finished pasta with fresh basil, a sprinkle of parmesan, or a drizzle of olive oil. Add a simple green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal. For extra protein, toss in rotisserie chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas during the final few minutes of cooking.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 hearty servings, with each dish typically providing 350–400 calories, depending on pasta type and mix-ins. It’s a balanced option suitable for families or meal preppers seeking quick, wholesome dinners.

One Pot Pasta Recipe Recap

With only one pot and a handful of ingredients, you’ll transform pantry staples into a crowd-pleasing dinner in half an hour. It’s a time-saving, flavor-packed solution you’ll want to put on repeat.

Ingredients

12 ounces dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cups baby spinach or kale
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Fresh basil, for garnish
Optional: 1 cup cooked chicken, sausage, or chickpeas for added protein

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to have all the ingredients added to an organized shopping list sorted by store section—making your grocery trip quick, efficient, and stress free.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until softened.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Pour in diced tomatoes (with their juices), broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine.
  4. Add the dried pasta, ensuring it’s submerged in liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  5. Cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente and sauce is slightly thickened.
  6. During the last 2 minutes, add spinach or kale and any optional cooked protein. Stir until greens are wilted and everything is heated through.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in grated parmesan until creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and extra parmesan if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This One Pot Pasta Recipe is a weeknight staple—especially when you want no-fuss meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe within your weekly meal plan to auto-generate consolidated shopping lists, making dinner prep organized and stress free.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically sums up ingredient quantities for the week
  • Groups items by grocery store section
  • Reduces duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
  • Streamlines your entire meal-prep routine

Pro tip: When planning multiple dinners, schedule your recipes to spot ingredient overlap (like garlic, greens, or cheese), saving money and minimizing waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

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