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This Easy One-Pot Pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner – uncooked pasta, veggies, and sauce combine and cook together in one pot in only 20 minutes!
One-Pot Pasta. Also known as the ultimate cozy weeknight dinner because it’s quick, easy, satisfying, and easy to pack with veggies. Plus, cleanup is a breeze 😉 Let’s get into it…
INGREDIENTS FOR ONE-POT PASTA
This 20-minute meal comes together with only a few key (and affordable!) ingredients:
- Dry Pasta (yes, uncooked)
- Pasta Sauce
- Water
- Onion & Garlic
- Veggies!
I decided to use a combination of tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach for my pasta, but you can really use whatever you have on hand! Take some away, add extra ones in – you do you, boo.
HOW TO MAKE ONE-POT PASTA
The secret to success in one pot pasta is cooking the dry pasta with just the right amount of water in order for the noodles to cook completely – without leaving any extra liquid behind. Luckily I’ve done all the work for you, and all you need to do is follow the (very, very easy) recipe!
- Pour the pasta on the bottom of the pot or pan
- Add the remaining ingredients
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer until the pasta is al-dente
- Serve and enjoy!
THE BEST NOODLES FOR ONE-POT PASTA
This One Pot Pasta can be made with both gluten-free and gluten-full noodles, but I would recommend using shorter shapes over longer ones, like spaghetti. Longer noodles are harder to stir and tend to stick together more while they cook. Shorter noodles can be stirred immediately (which is important) and and often as needed – no need to wait until they soften.
If you do opt for gluten-free noodles, I have found that brown rice pasta seems to work the best, followed by other corn + grain blends. Bean and lentil-based pastas fall apart in one pot recipes and release more starch, which leads to a gummier final product.
I LOVE this One-Pot Pasta recipe because it’s fuss-free, easy, and downright delicious! I personally think that one-pot noodles taste better too. Because they’re simmering in our actual sauce (and with our veggies) instead of just pasta water, they have at least double the flavor! I also like how the pasta releases a little starch as it cooks, which helps to make our sauce nice, thick, and creamy.
If you’re looking for more one-pot pasta recipes, you’ll also love this One Pot Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff, this One Pot Pumpkin Pasta, and this One Pot Spinach & Artichoke Pasta!
Finally, if you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I love seeing your delicious recreations 🙂
PrintEasy One-Pot Pasta
This Easy One-Pot Pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner – uncooked pasta, veggies, and sauce combine and cook together in one pot in only 20 minutes!
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2 to 4 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry pasta*, gluten-free or regular
- 8 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 small zucchini, chopped and quartered
- 3 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/4 cup pasta sauce of choice
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 3 ounces fresh spinach
Instructions
- Add the uncooked pasta to a large pot (or pan with deep sides). Add the remaining ingredients – except for the spinach – and mix well. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium low and cook the pasta for 10-14 minutes, until al-dente. Stir the mixture every 2 minutes to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan. (Note: cooking times will vary based on the type of pasta used. I suggest you start to check for doneness based on the minimum cook time on the package instructions)
- Turn the heat off and fold the spinach into the pasta. Once the spinach has wilted, divide the pasta into serving bowls and top as desired. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Pasta: this recipe will work both gluten-free and gluten-full pasta, so use what works for you! I suggest you use shorter pasta shapes (such as penne, rotini, shells, marcaroni) over longer noodles as they cook more evenly in this method. If you are using gluten-free pasta, I have found that brown rice pasta works best.
- Vegetables: feel free to add, subtract, or substitute any of the veggies here!
Keywords: one pot pasta gluten free, gluten free pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegan one pot pasta, healthy one pot pasta
Can this be modified to be made in the Instant Pot? I’m guessing it would just be less water but not sure how much to add.
It probably could, but I havent tested that. I do have other Instant Pot pasta recipes on the blog though!
This was a hit with my whole family! So delicious and easy. Thank you!
★★★★★
I saw this video on YouTube, marked it, and then found it again on Google so I knew I had to try it. It was the easiest thing I’ve ever made, could not be more simple. Anyone can do it! And on top of that, it was delicious! I did add a little cheese because pasta, come on lol. But I tasted it before that and it was very good. I’ll definitely be keeping this in my rotation. It also made A LOT which is great. If covid ever ends & I have to cook for people again this is gonna be the one.
★★★★
Thanks so much for the kind words! So glad you enjoyed it and hope you get to make it for some friends soon!
Its so good! I’ll definitely be making this more 🙂
★★★★★
Yay! Thanks for making!
I can’t even count how many times I’ve made this recipe. It’s SO delicious and amazingly easy. I usually add double the chili pepper because I love spice. I will never get tired of this pasta. <3
★★★★★
Sounds awesome! Extra spice is always welcome.
Gets all the stars since it is an easy and wholesome meal to cook. Quick to make too!
★★★★★
Yay! Thanks so much!
Hi!
Could someone tell me how much pasta that would be equivalent to in grams?
Hey! That’s roughly 225 grams!
I’ve made this pasta now SEVERAL times, and I have yet to get sick of it. I absolutely love it! So easy to prepare, contains accessible ingredients and tastes phenomenal. I really appreciate your detailed instructions and relevant recommendations throughout this recipe. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
★★★★★
Happy to hear you’ve been enjoying it! Thanks for making it!
Made it tonight, and wow, what yummy (and pretty) results with minimal effort! Great recipe with so many options! Especially if you have a variety of veggies that need used up! I bought a zucchini and onion for this recipe, but basically went through our salad shelf and tossed in anything that was nearing eol. Thanks so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Sounds awesome! Glad you liked it and were able to use up all those veggies!
I’m sorry I’m a little confused, so we add the pasta sauce and water together to cook the pasta??
Hey! That’s right! It’s a one pot recipe so everything just goes straight in minus the spinach!
This recipe was so easy to make and so delicious! I added some of Kelly’s Gourmet Cheezy Parm on top!
Ooh that sounds so good!
Excellent!
★★★★★
Why thank you!
I won’t rate this recipe yet because something went wrong… Instead of the salt I subbed in the no- chicken base mixed into boiling water and poured that over the pot and I’m wondering if that is why my pasta ended up gummy in the end? I have to say, the flavors were delicious!
Hi Mardy! One Pot pasta can be more gummy than traditional cooking methods, it mostly depends on the type of pasta you use. In the blog post I suggest using brown rice pasta!
I have a few questions, if that’s okay?
1. Do you think this would freeze well if I divided it into individual portions?
2. I would like to add some pulses for extra protein. Do you think 2 cans would be okay (I love beans!) or would this require adding more liquid to the recipe?
Thank you!
Pasta doesn’t freeze well, so I wouldnt suggest that. I think adding canned beans would be okay, but I would actually suggest stirring them into the pasta once cooked and letting them sit (with pan on low heat) until they are warmed.
I just made this and it blew my mind, I’m obsessed!
★★★★★
Thanks so much!
This was delicious!!! My family loved it! Super easy, definitely going to make it regularly!
Yay! Glad they all liked it!
Do you think it would be alright to freeze?
Pasta doesn’t freeze well, so we dont suggest that!
Hello! Do you have any suggestion for the sauce? I would like to make it at home.
Can I substitute the cherry tomatoes for regular ones?
Thank you so much. Kisses!
You could use an 8 ounce tomato instead of grape or cherry!
Is this tomato paste?
No, it’s pasta sauce
Can I sub the yellow onion for a red onion?
In a pinch, sure! It does change the taste a bit but if you’re not always buying/able to buy red onions it’s not a big deal!
Hi, I made this last night but doubled everything to feed my family of 5 (and have leftovers if possible) and it seemed at first like not enough water, then when the pasta was done it seemed like too much water. It wasn’t like yours in your pics or insta reel, it was watery not thick and starchy. Almost was like pasta soup. That being said it was absolutely delicious but I want to make it again but have it be like your pics. Should I use less water? I always have trouble when doubling recipes for some reason. Any suggestions to make it just like your pics/reel?
Thank you!
★★★★★
I think this would be a difficult recipe to double, because it would take longer to cook and make sure the pasta is cooked well. It also depends on the type of pasta you are using! For future reference, I would suggest starting with 1/2 cup less water, and only adding more if you think you need it
It was perfect the first time. This is very really unique helpful information.I learn so much from you as well! Thank you so much for sharing your helpful information. Keep it up.
★★★★★
Thanks so much!
I was wondering if you could refrigerate this and heat it up like in 1-3 days. I know sometimes reheating pasta isn’t as good as eating it fresh
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days!
Do you think some vegan faux chicken would be good to add for some extra protein? Or would you suggest something else?
Thank you!
If you’re wanting extra protein, sure! This is a really fun recipe to customize and add whatever speaks to you. Faux chicken would work well!