Easy One-Pot Pasta

This easy one pot pasta recipe is made for busy nights. You don't boil the pasta in a separate pot. Instead, the dry pasta cooks right in the sauce. As it cooks, it releases starch, and that starch turns the liquid into a silky, creamy sauce. You get dinner in about 25 minutes and only one pot to wash.

Quick Facts

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 12 oz (340 g) short pasta, like penne, rotini or fusilli
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes
• 3½ cups (840 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt (less if your broth is salty)
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or milk
• 2 big handfuls (60 g) baby spinach
• ½ cup (45 g) grated parmesan, plus more to serve
• Black pepper and fresh basil

Which pasta works best? Short shapes cook evenly and are easy to stir. Spaghetti also works: break it in half so it fits in the pot.

Step 1: Cook the Garlic

Heat the olive oil in a large, wide pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and pepper flakes. Stir for 1 minute, until it smells good. Don't let the garlic turn brown, or it tastes bitter.

Step 2: Add Pasta and Liquid

Add the dry pasta, diced tomatoes (with their juice), broth, Italian seasoning and salt. Stir well so the pasta is under the liquid.

Turn the heat up and bring it to a boil.

Step 3: Simmer and Stir

Lower the heat to medium so it bubbles steadily. Cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes. Stir every 2–3 minutes. Stirring stops the pasta from sticking to the bottom.

The pasta is ready when it's tender with a little bite, and most of the liquid has turned into a thick sauce.

• Liquid gone but pasta still hard? Add ¼ cup water and keep cooking.
• Pasta done but too soupy? Cook 1–2 more minutes. The sauce also thickens as it sits.

Step 4: Make It Creamy

Turn off the heat. Stir in the cream, spinach and parmesan. The spinach wilts in about 1 minute from the heat of the pasta.

Taste and add salt and black pepper. Top with basil and more cheese.

Tips for Perfect One-Pot Pasta

• Use a wide pot. The pasta cooks more evenly.
• Stir often. This is the most important step.
• Measure the liquid. Too little and the pasta stays hard; too much and it's soupy.
• Add cheese off the heat. It melts smoothly instead of clumping.

Common Problems

The pasta stuck to the pot. The heat was too high or it wasn't stirred. Use medium heat and stir often.

It's mushy. It cooked too long. Start tasting at 10 minutes.

The sauce is bland. Add more salt, parmesan, or a squeeze of lemon.

The cream split. It was added over high heat. Always add cream off the heat.

Variations

• Chicken: Brown 1 lb bite-size chicken pieces first, take them out, then add back at the end.
• Sausage: Brown sliced Italian sausage before the garlic.
• Dairy-free: Skip cream and parmesan; use a splash of coconut milk and nutritional yeast.
• More veggies: Add zucchini, mushrooms or bell peppers with the pasta.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and check the cooking time on the box.

What to Serve With It

A green salad, garlic bread or roasted broccoli go well with this pasta.

Storage

Fridge: Cool and refrigerate within 2 hours. Keeps 3–4 days in an airtight container.

Reheat: Add a splash of water or milk and warm in a pan or microwave. The pasta soaks up sauce as it sits.

Freezer: Not the best choice. The cream sauce can turn grainy.

Nutrition Estimate

Per serving (¼ of the recipe, with cream):

• Calories: about 500
• Protein: about 17 g
• Carbohydrates: about 70 g
• Fat: about 18 g

FAQs

Can I use spaghetti?

Yes. Break it in half and stir often for the first few minutes so it doesn't clump.

Why cook pasta in the sauce?

The pasta's starch thickens the sauce, and you save time and dishes.

Can I make it without cream?

Yes. Use milk, or skip it and add more parmesan for a lighter tomato sauce.

Can I use whole wheat pasta?

Yes. It may need 2–3 more minutes and a little more liquid.

More Recipes to Try

• Easy 15 Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta (coming soon)
• Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta (coming soon)
• Chicken Pesto Panini
• Browse all recipes

A Final Note

Use a wide pot, measure the liquid and keep stirring. That's all it takes to get creamy, saucy pasta with just one pot to clean.