Easy One-Pot Meatless Pasta

Introduction

Few dishes deliver comfort and ease like a steaming bowl of Easy One-Pot Meatless Pasta. This recipe streamlines both preparation and clean-up, combining hearty vegetables, fragrant herbs, and toothsome pasta in a single pot. The result is a meal that’s satisfying, wholesome, and ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry crowd without fuss.

Why This Meatless Pasta Is a Crowd-Pleaser

The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity: everything simmers together in one pot, allowing the flavors to meld and the starch from the pasta to subtly thicken the sauce. You’ll enjoy bursts of freshness from the veggies, a punch of flavor from garlic and herbs, and just the right amount of creaminess. Plus, the dish is easily customizable—swap in your favorite vegetables or pasta shapes to suit your mood or pantry staples.

Prepping Your Ingredients the Easy Way

Set yourself up for quick success by having all the veggies prepped before you start cooking. Chop onions, peppers, and zucchini uniformly for even cooking—using a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper can save plenty of time and effort, plus ensure consistent bite-sized pieces to blend perfectly with the pasta.

How to Make Easy One-Pot Meatless Pasta

To begin, sauté your aromatics in a sturdy nonstick skillet like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch. It provides even heat and a slick surface to prevent sticking as you build flavor with onions and garlic. Then, layer in your uncooked pasta, chopped vegetables, and pour over a generous helping of vegetable broth.

Bring everything to a boil and let it simmer uncovered, stirring periodically. The beauty of this approach is the pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up the flavors of tomato, garlic, and fresh basil. A final sprinkle of cheese or nutritional yeast finishes things off.

Tips and Variations for Weeknight Success

– Swap zucchini or bell peppers for eggplant or mushrooms.
– Add leafy greens (like spinach or kale) in the last few minutes of cooking for extra nutrition.
– If prepping lunch the next day, store your pasta in an airtight container like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) to lock in freshness.
– For precise ingredient measurements, use the Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display.

Serving and Storing Your Meatless Pasta

Serve straight from the pot, garnished with a scatter of fresh basil or parsley. For a perfect presentation when packing lunch, transfer to a Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl, Khaki Green and include a sprinkle of parmesan or vegan cheese in a separate compartment.

Leftovers taste great reheated and will keep for 3–4 days in the fridge.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 4 generous servings. Each portion is balanced—with plant-based protein and fiber from the veggies and pasta. Calorie counts will vary depending on add-ins and toppings but typically range between 350–450 calories per serving.

Easy One-Pot Meatless Pasta (Recap)

This one-pot dinner is an ideal choice for anyone craving a fast, delicious, and meatless meal with minimal clean-up. Tender pasta, vibrant vegetables, and a flavorful, herbed tomato sauce come together in under 30 minutes—no need to boil a separate pot or rely on heavy cream or cheese (unless you want to).

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
2. Add zucchini and bell pepper. Sauté for another 3–4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Pour in the undrained tomatoes, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
4. Add the dried pasta, ensuring it’s submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most broth is absorbed, about 12–15 minutes.
5. Adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and let sit for 2–3 minutes—this helps the sauce thicken.
6. Serve in bowls, topped with parmesan or nutritional yeast and fresh herbs if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers in a Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) for easy lunches.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

With minimal ingredients, zero fuss, and crowd-pleasing flavors, this Easy One-Pot Meatless Pasta is sure to become your busy weeknight go-to!