One pot pasta meals are perfect for busy nights when you’re short on time and have no patience for a sink full of dishes. Try these 15+ simple recipes to keep your dinner rotation fun and interesting.
15+ Simple One Pot Pasta Recipes That Save Time and Dishes
1. One Pot Lemon Garlic Parmesan Pasta
A creamy, zesty pasta dish that comes together in no time. This recipe cooks the pasta in a savory broth with garlic and lemon zest. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese and lemon juice once the pasta is cooked to create a delicious sauce.
I like to top this dish with more freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Related: 25 Surprising Instant Pot Recipes That Prove It Can Cook (Almost) Everything
2. Cheesy Taco Pasta in One Pot
A delightfully cheesy and hearty meal that’s easy to customize to your tastes. This dish calls for ground beef, but you can easily substitute ground turkey or even skip it entirely if you want a vegetarian version. The green chilies, cheese and spices add tons of flavor. I recommend topping this dish off with fresh cilantro.
3. Creamy Sausage Rigatoni with Spinach, Garlic and Tomato
Savory sausage and a rich tomato sauce make this meal a delicious addition to any weeknight meal rotation. Fresh spinach, Italian seasoning, heavy cream and chicken broth round out this dish to create a restaurant-quality dinner the whole family will love.
While this recipe calls for rigatoni pasta, I prefer fusilli because it holds onto the sausage and tomato sauce better.
4. One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Spinach and Mushrooms
I love a good one pot pasta dish with mushrooms, and this recipe is one of our favorites. It’s loaded with flavor without being overly complicated or time-consuming to prepare.
The spinach, mushrooms and creamy sauce come together to create an unforgettable pasta dish everyone will enjoy.
5. One-Pot Italian Chicken Pasta
A delicious and flavorful pasta dish loaded with chicken breast, bell peppers and a creamy tomato sauce. It all comes together in less than an hour and will easily feed a crowd. For this recipe, you’ll need a large, deep skillet or a Dutch oven to cook everything in a single pot.
6. Easy One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
If you’re looking for a simple and fast dinner, it doesn’t get much better than this recipe. This one pot recipe features a creamy tomato sauce that pairs well with any type of pasta you prefer. We prefer spaghetti, but you can also try rigatoni or penne.
Making this dish is as simple as cooking the pasta in a savory tomato broth and stirring in heavy cream once the pasta is al dente. I love to add fresh basil and just a little fresh pecorino or Parmesan.
7. Garlic Parmesan Pasta
A simple, tasty pasta dish that only requires a handful of ingredients. Zesty garlic and angel hair pasta cooked in a creamy broth and topped with Parmesan cheese. What’s not to love? Top with freshly minced herbs (parsley or basil) and you have a gourmet meal without the sink full of dishes.
8. One-Pot Boursin Cheese Pasta with Broccoli
Boursin cheese pairs perfectly with the broccoli and pasta in this dish. I prefer the garlic and herb flavored variety because it adds so much more flavor. It takes a grand total of 15 minutes to make this dish, so it’s perfect for busy nights. Even if your kids are fussy, they will love this tasty, cheesy meal. And if you’re not a fan of broccoli, you can swap in any vegetable you wish (peas or asparagus work well).
9. Creamy Sundried Tomato Chicken Pasta
A Mediterranean-inspired one pot pasta dish that everyone will love – even the kids. I recommend using a deep skillet for this recipe, so you can comfortably cook the pasta in one pot. Feel free to add any vegetables you like and substitute the protein for any type you prefer (or skip it entirely). Instead of cream cheese, you can use blocked feta cheese for a creamier sauce.
10. Taco Pasta
Sometimes, I want something a little different than the traditional pasta recipes on this list. Taco pasta is a good compromise and adds a completely new taste that anyone eating it will appreciate.
But the recipe does call for ground beef, so you must be a meat-lover for this one. Since the beef is fatty, you’ll need to drain it or use a very lean beef. Garlic and butter will be put in the pot after you drain the browned ground beef and then everything but the cheese and pasta: taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, milk, chicken and beef broth, tomatoes with green chilis and your seasoning.
Finally, you’ll add in your pasta and, eventually, your cheeses (cheddar, Jack and Velveeta).
11. Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun chicken is always a spicy delight, and Cooking Classy even provides simple substitutes that you can swap in and out. The base recipe calls for chicken breasts, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, red onion, bell peppers, garlic, penne pasta, heavy cream, cornstarch, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley and salt and pepper.
Start by heating your pan with olive oil on medium heat.
Add in your seasoned chicken, cook until brown and then place on a sheet of aluminum foil. Sautee the veggies, add chicken broth, tomatoes and heavy cream, and then your pasta. Cooking your penne in these liquids will add a divine taste.
And once the pasta is tender, you can add cornstarch to the mix and cook until the sauce thickens and the pasta is tender.
Related: One Pot Mexican Quinoa with Lazy Guacamole
12. Creamy Kielbasa Pasta
Are you a fan of kielbasa? If so, you’ll appreciate this recipe from Whisked Recipe. Kielbasa adds a smoky flavor to the creamy sauce that you’ll learn to make, and it’s a recipe that is 100% customizable to your unique taste.
Ready in under thirty minutes, you’ll start with a base of:
- Butter or olive oil
- Kielbasa
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Pasta
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
You‘ll also add cheddar and Parmesan cheese for a creamy sauce, along with fresh parsley and any veggies you like, such as broccoli or peas. Red pepper flakes are a good addition if you want to add a touch of spice to the dish.
13. Italian Sausage and Orzo Pasta
Nine ingredients are all you need for this satiating one pot pasta that is perfect for anyone scrambling to find something to eat in a rush. You’ll add Italian sausage and Oezo pasta into a pot with spinach, garlic cloves, tomatoes, vegetable broth, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil and a few spices.
And the nice thing about this recipe is that you can use sweet or spicy sausage to completely transform the taste of this dish.
14. Creamy Wild Mushroom Pasta
One pot pasta like this is so good and easy to make. Ten ingredients are all you need, including chicken, garlic, mushrooms, thyme, linguine pasta, salt and pepper, olive oil, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
And if you want to add even more flavor to the pasta, you can cook it in chicken broth, but it’s not required.
One large pot and about 12 minutes is all it takes to make this creamy wild mushroom pasta.
15. One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
Creamy and delicious, anyone who I’ve recommended this recipe to in the past simply loves this dish. You’ll start by filling your kitchen with the smell of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and onion, which you’ll heat in a large pot and some olive oil.
Stir in your tomato paste and seasoning and cook for a minute or so.
Now, pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes and pasta. Season to taste and allow the broth to simmer until the pasta is done cooking. Stir well, add in your Parmesan cheese and some cream cheese to thicken it up.
Sprinkle some basil on top and let it sit for a few minutes so that it has time to thicken before serving.
16. Creamy French Onion Tortellini
Creamy tortellini are perfect for a weeknight dinner and there’s just so much flavor with this recipe. You’ll need your favorite tortellini and to make a creamy sauce using:
- Butter
- Onion
- Vegetable broth
- Heavy whipping cream
- Thyme
- Black pepper
- Red chili pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
You’ll start with your butter and onions, cooking them up in your pot before adding in your tortellini and vegetable broth. Cook until al dente before adding in the heavy whipping cream and Parmesan cheese.
If necessary, add a tad more vegetable broth.
Season and serve.
Related: 25 Easy Crockpot Recipes You Can Meal Prep for the Week
17. Garlic Parmesan Pasta
One pot pasta with just eight ingredients? I’m not going to lie. I could really go for this dish right now! It’s a creamy pasta that you can make in your large skillet, and it’s so simple. You’ll begin by melting butter in the skillet over medium heat and then add in your minced garlic.
Cook for a minute or two before stirring in the milk, chicken broth and fettuccine. Add in your spices, bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and allow to cook until the pasta is tender.
Add in your Parmesan cheese and keep stirring. Stop when the mixture is at your ideal consistency and serve.
18. One-pot Veggie Pasta
Twenty minutes is all you need to make a delectable veggie pasta. It’s a fuss-free recipe that you can make with an array of vegetables, such as:
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes
Add any vegetables you wish, and if you want a boost of selenium and B vitamins, mushrooms are also a good addition. You’ll also need olive oil, onion, garlic, vegetable stock, tomato paste, seasoning, pasta, sauce and a cheese of your preference.
And in just twenty minutes, you’ll be sitting down to eat this one-pot pasta dish that tastes divine and is easy to make in a pinch.
