🍅 Best-Ever One-Pot Pasta (FoodieMoms Original)

If you’re looking for a meal that’s fast, easy, and incredibly delicious with minimal cleanup — One-Pot Pasta is your new kitchen hero. This recipe is the very definition of weeknight perfection: everything cooks together in a single pot, from the pasta to the sauce, creating a creamy, flavorful dish in under 30 minutes.

Forget boiling pasta separately or juggling multiple pans — this dish does it all. The magic lies in cooking the pasta directly in the sauce ingredients, so every strand soaks up rich flavor from garlic, onions, tomatoes, and herbs. The result? Perfectly tender pasta coated in a naturally creamy, glossy sauce that feels indulgent but couldn’t be easier to make.

Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student, or just craving a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort, this Best-Ever One-Pot Pasta is a game changer.

🍝 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Only ONE pot to wash
• ✅ Ready in 25–30 minutes
• ✅ Naturally creamy without cream
• ✅ Easily customizable with proteins or veggies
• ✅ Bursting with fresh Italian flavor

This recipe has become a FoodieMoms favorite for good reason — it proves that simple ingredients can deliver big flavor without complicated steps.

🥣 Ingredients

• 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or linguine
• 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 ½ cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Combine everything in one pot.
Place the pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, broth, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven.

2. Bring to a boil.
Turn heat to medium-high and bring everything to a rolling boil. Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking together.

3. Simmer and stir.
Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

4. Create the sauce.
Once the pasta is cooked, add butter and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the sauce becomes silky and creamy, coating the noodles beautifully.

5. Finish and serve.
Remove from heat, toss in fresh basil leaves, and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed.

6. Plate and enjoy!
Serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil on top.

One-Pot Pasta

A quick and easy one-pot pasta where everything cooks together in a single pot — perfectly creamy, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 520

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 small onion thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3.5 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 2 tbsp butter
• 0.25 cup fresh basil torn
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Equipment

• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Tongs
• Measuring cups

Method

 

1. Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, oil, broth, and seasonings in a large pot.
2. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat, stirring often.
3. Simmer 10–12 minutes until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
4. Stir in butter and Parmesan until creamy.
5. Add basil, adjust seasoning, and serve hot.

Notes

Add more broth if needed while cooking to maintain a saucy consistency.

💡 FoodieMoms Tips

1. Use high-quality pasta.
   The starch from the pasta thickens the sauce — good-quality pasta makes it smoother and richer.
2. Don’t walk away!
   Stir occasionally so the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t clump together.
3. Add liquid as needed.
   If the sauce looks too thick before the pasta is fully cooked, splash in a bit more broth or water.
4. Finish with flavor.
   A drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of lemon zest at the end brightens the dish beautifully.
5. Add protein.
   Toss in cooked chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage for a heartier version.

🍆 Variations

• Creamy Tomato One-Pot Pasta: Stir in ¼ cup cream or cream cheese before serving for a luxuriously rich sauce.
• One-Pot Pesto Pasta: Replace tomatoes with a spoonful of pesto and toss with baby spinach.
• Vegetable-Packed Pasta: Add zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
• Spicy Arrabbiata Version: Add more crushed red pepper and a spoonful of tomato paste for a fiery kick.
• Cheesy Upgrade: Top with mozzarella and broil for 2–3 minutes until melted and bubbly.

🥗 Serving Suggestions

• Side Salad: Pair with a crisp green salad tossed in balsamic vinaigrette.
• Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up that velvety sauce.
• Wine Pairing: A glass of Chianti or Sauvignon Blanc balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Simple Dessert: Try lemon sorbet or panna cotta to complete the Italian theme.

🧠 Fun Facts About One-Pot Pasta

• The concept became famous thanks to Martha Stewart, who introduced the “one-pan pasta” technique — and it instantly became a global trend.
• Cooking pasta in its own sauce helps retain all the starch and flavor that’s usually poured down the drain.
• It’s proof that Italian-inspired dishes can be incredibly easy while still tasting gourmet.

🍽️ Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Add a splash of broth or water and warm gently in a skillet.
• Freeze: Not recommended — the pasta texture changes after freezing.

❤️ Why This One-Pot Pasta Is the Best

• Made in one pot — no extra pans
• Creamy and flavorful without cream
• Uses everyday pantry ingredients
• Family-friendly and budget-friendly
• Can be adapted to suit any craving

Whether it’s a busy Monday or a lazy Sunday, this Best-Ever One-Pot Pasta is your solution for a fast, no-fuss, absolutely delicious meal.

🔢 Nutrition (Per Serving Approx.)

• Calories: 520
• Protein: 17g
• Fat: 18g
• Carbs: 70g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 640mg
• Calcium: 15% DV
• Iron: 12% DV