15 Super Easy One-Pot Pasta Recipes

Introduction

If you’re searching for meals that offer incredible flavor with minimal cleanup, these 15 Super Easy One-Pot Pasta Recipes will quickly become staples in your kitchen. With just a single pot, you can create comforting dishes that are simple, quick, and utterly satisfying—perfect for busy weeknights or effortless family dinners.

Why One-Pot Pasta Recipes Are a Weeknight Hero

One-pot pasta recipes streamline meal preparation by combining all your ingredients—pasta, proteins, veggies, and sauce—in a single pan. As the pasta cooks, it soaks up flavor from the broth and seasonings, resulting in rich, well-developed tastes. Plus, fewer dishes mean more time to enjoy your meal and less time scrubbing pots and pans.

How to Master One-Pot Pasta Dishes

The key to easy one-pot pasta is using enough liquid (broth, water, or tomato sauce) to cook the pasta perfectly without draining. Start by sautéing aromatics like garlic and onion, then add your proteins and vegetables. Pour in the liquids and pasta, then simmer until al dente. Creamy or brothy, these flexible recipes are endlessly customizable to your tastes.

Top Tips for Success

– Use short pasta shapes (penne, fusilli, rigatoni) for even cooking.
– Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
– Taste and adjust seasoning as the pasta cooks.
– If you love a creamier sauce, add a splash of cream or a handful of cheese near the end.

The Ultimate List: 15 Super Easy One-Pot Pasta Recipes

1. **One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta:** Creamy, cheesy, and full of savory garlic flavor.
2. **Classic One-Pot Spaghetti with Marinara:** A clean take on a dinnertime classic.
3. **One-Pot Chicken Alfredo:** Tender chicken and fettuccine in a silky Alfredo sauce.
4. **One-Pot Tuscan Tomato Spinach Pasta:** Tomatoes, spinach, and Italian seasoning for a vibrant vegetarian dish.
5. **One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta:** Earthy mushrooms and a touch of cream for depth.
6. **One-Pot Taco Pasta:** Bold Taco Tuesday vibes with ground beef, taco spices, and cheese.
7. **One-Pot Pesto Pasta with Peas:** Basil pesto and sweet green peas in every bite.
8. **One-Pot Shrimp Scampi Linguine:** Zesty lemon, garlic, and juicy shrimp for a seafood feast.
9. **One-Pot Sausage and Broccoli Pasta:** Smoky sausage with nutrient-packed broccoli.
10. **One-Pot Chili Mac:** A hearty mashup of classic chili and cheesy mac.
11. **One-Pot Mediterranean Orzo:** Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and feta bring Greek flair.
12. **One-Pot Baked Ziti:** Pasta, marinara, and gooey mozzarella all in a single pot.
13. **One-Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta:** A spicy, tangy spin with hot sauce and creamy cheese.
14. **One-Pot Carbonara:** Bacon and eggs meld with pasta for a silky Roman classic.
15. **One-Pot Cajun Pasta:** Smoky sausage, peppers, and Cajun seasoning for bold southern taste.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save these recipes to instantly generate a comprehensive and organized shopping list. All ingredients are sorted by store section for the fastest, most efficient grocery run—no more forgetting key pasta or veggies!

Instructions

These directions form the backbone for nearly all easy one-pot pasta dishes:

1. In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, garlic, and any raw proteins (chicken, sausage, etc.), cooking until just browned.
2. Add your chosen vegetables and cook for 2–3 more minutes.
3. Pour in broth (enough to cover the pasta), your chosen sauce base (like tomato or cream), and dry pasta.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally. Cook until the pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, generally 10–15 minutes.
5. Stir in cheese, herbs, and any delicate add-ins (spinach, shrimp, peas) in the last few minutes.
6. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and optional extras like red pepper flakes or lemon juice.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs or more cheese.

Weekly Meal Planning

These 15 one-pot wonders are a meal planner’s dream: easy to prep, minimal mess, and endlessly adaptable for picky eaters or changing seasons. Save and schedule your favorite one-pot pasta recipes to seamlessly plan your weekly dinners. You’ll get an organized, consolidated shopping list so you only buy what you need—cutting down on wasted ingredients and last-minute store runs.

**Planning Benefits:**
– Automatically calculates and combines ingredient quantities across selected recipes
– Shopping lists sorted by grocery sections (e.g., dairy, produce, pantry)
– Tracks overlapping staples like broth, pasta, or cheese for total quantities needed
– Streamlines meal prep, making busy weeknights less stressful

Pro tip: When scheduling multiple pasta nights, let CookifyAI optimize your week by seeing which ingredients overlap. That way, if three recipes need spinach or Parmesan, the app automatically sums it up for you—easy, smart, and stress-free!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10–20 minutes per recipe
Total Time: 20–30 minutes per recipe

Enjoy stress-free dinners all week long with these super easy one-pot pasta recipes!