One Pot Pasta Recipe – Quick, Creamy, and Delicious
One Pot Pasta
One pot pasta is a culinary game-changer for busy home cooks who crave delicious, hearty meals without the hassle of multiple pots and pans. This technique allows you to cook pasta, sauce, and seasonings all together in a single pot, saving time, reducing cleanup, and locking in incredible flavor. The result is a creamy, perfectly cooked pasta where every strand absorbs the sauce, creating a rich, cohesive dish that tastes like it took hours to prepare, even when it’s ready in under 30 minutes.
What makes one pot pasta special is its versatility and ease. You can tailor it to your taste, whether you prefer a tomato-based pasta sauce, a creamy garlic butter pasta, or a simple garlic pasta that highlights fresh herbs. The flavor develops as the ingredients cook together, allowing pasta to soak up the essence of herbs, tomatoes, garlic, and cheese. People love one pot pasta because it delivers comfort, convenience, and flavor in a single dish, perfect for weeknight dinners, easy at home meals, or even a quick tomato pasta meal for lunch. It’s the ultimate solution for those who want satisfying meals with minimal effort and maximum taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This one pot pasta recipe is designed to be foolproof while producing a restaurant-quality result at home. You’ll love it because it’s creamy, flavorful, and comforting without being heavy. Using fresh garlic, diced tomato pasta sauce, and a combination of cream and cheese, it achieves the perfect balance of richness and freshness. The recipe also allows flexibility to accommodate dietary preferences, ingredient availability, and portion size, making it perfect for home cooks who want an easy creamy garlic pasta or one pot creamy garlic noodles without any guesswork.
The technique of cooking everything in a single pot ensures the pasta absorbs the sauce as it cooks, intensifying flavors and creating a naturally creamy texture. You’ll also appreciate that it’s a one-dish pasta meal, meaning you can serve it straight from the pot without extra cleanup. With options like tomato alfredo pasta, pasta with roma tomatoes, or no meat pasta recipes creamy tomato sauce recipe, this dish becomes a versatile foundation for exploring new flavors while keeping preparation simple and efficient.
Whether you’re aiming for a quick weeknight dinner, easy at home meals, or a side dish for pasta night, this one pot pasta is a reliable, comforting choice. It’s a technique that gives you control over seasoning, texture, and consistency while allowing room for creative variations such as one pot creamy garlic butter pasta or one pot garlic pasta.
Preparation and Cooking Time
This timing covers chopping, sautéing, simmering, and allowing the pasta to fully absorb the sauce. The result is a creamy, cohesive dish that’s ready in half an hour.
Ingredients
Substitution Notes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Aromatics
Heat olive oil or butter in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. This step builds the foundation of flavor for the pasta sauce. Make sure not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter and overpower the dish.
Step 2: Add Tomatoes and Broth
Pour in diced tomatoes or diced tomato pasta sauce along with the vegetable or chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This liquid will both cook the pasta and create the base for your creamy sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and dried or fresh Italian herbs.
Step 3: Add Pasta
Add the dry pasta directly into the simmering sauce. Stir to ensure the pasta is submerged and evenly distributed. It is important to stir occasionally to prevent sticking, especially during the first few minutes as the pasta begins to soften and absorb the liquid.
Step 4: Cook Until Tender
Simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is cooked al dente and the liquid has reduced slightly. The starch released from the pasta will help thicken the sauce naturally, creating a cohesive one dish pasta. Adjust seasoning as needed during cooking.
Step 5: Add Cream and Cheese
Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. This transforms the sauce into a rich, creamy garlic pasta. Continue stirring until the cheese melts fully, coating each strand of pasta evenly. For an extra creamy texture, add a splash more cream or a small knob of butter.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
Taste the pasta and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, or additional herbs. Optional red pepper flakes can be added for a hint of heat. Ensure the pasta sauce is balanced between tangy tomatoes, garlic flavor, and creamy richness.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley, extra Parmesan, or sliced roma tomatoes. The one pot creamy garlic butter pasta can be enjoyed straight from the skillet or plated for a more elegant presentation.
How to Serve
One pot pasta is versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Consider serving with a fresh garden salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. For sides for pasta, a simple green salad or steamed broccoli complements the creamy texture without overpowering the flavors. It can also be served as a quick tomato pasta meal with a side of crusty bread for dipping, or alongside a protein such as grilled chicken or shrimp. Presentation can be simple: twirl the pasta on a plate, sprinkle with cheese and herbs, and add a drizzle of olive oil for a restaurant-style look.
Additional Tips
Recipe Variations
Freezing and Storage
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
Final Words
Cooking one pot pasta at home brings together convenience, flavor, and creativity in a single dish. With just one pot, you can prepare a creamy, rich, and satisfying meal that tastes like it took hours to make. This recipe allows you to enjoy all the comforts of a hearty pasta meal while saving time and minimizing cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners.
One pot pasta also offers endless opportunities for personalization. From simple garlic pasta to one pot creamy garlic butter pasta or tomato alfredo pasta, the flavors can be adapted to suit your preferences. Fresh herbs, cream, and cheese elevate this simple technique into a restaurant-quality meal, while maintaining the ease and speed that make one pot pasta a home cook favorite.
Finally, making this dish at home encourages experimentation and creativity in the kitchen. Whether served as a quick tomato pasta meal, paired with sides for pasta, or enjoyed with a crisp salad, one pot pasta is a versatile, satisfying, and approachable dish that showcases the beauty of simple, well-executed ingredients. It’s a recipe worth bookmarking and returning to again and again for easy at home meals that everyone will love.
FAQ’s
One Pot Pasta Recipe – Quick, Creamy, and Delicious
Course: Pasta Recipes4
servings10
minutes20
minutes380
kcalIngredients
12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti or linguine
2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes or diced tomato pasta sauce
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or oregano)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, or sliced roma tomatoes
Directions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. This step builds the foundation of flavor for the pasta sauce. Make sure not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter and overpower the dish.
- Pour in diced tomatoes or diced tomato pasta sauce along with the vegetable or chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This liquid will both cook the pasta and create the base for your creamy sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and dried or fresh Italian herbs.
- Add the dry pasta directly into the simmering sauce. Stir to ensure the pasta is submerged and evenly distributed. It is important to stir occasionally to prevent sticking, especially during the first few minutes as the pasta begins to soften and absorb the liquid.
- Simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is cooked al dente and the liquid has reduced slightly. The starch released from the pasta will help thicken the sauce naturally, creating a cohesive one dish pasta. Adjust seasoning as needed during cooking.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. This transforms the sauce into a rich, creamy garlic pasta. Continue stirring until the cheese melts fully, coating each strand of pasta evenly. For an extra creamy texture, add a splash more cream or a small knob of butter.
- Taste the pasta and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, or additional herbs. Optional red pepper flakes can be added for a hint of heat. Ensure the pasta sauce is balanced between tangy tomatoes, garlic flavor, and creamy richness.
- Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley, extra Parmesan, or sliced roma tomatoes. The one pot creamy garlic butter pasta can be enjoyed straight from the skillet or plated for a more elegant presentation.
Notes
- Use pasta with a uniform thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent sticking and burning.
- Let the pasta rest for 1-2 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Fresh garlic and herbs elevate the flavor significantly compared to dried or pre-minced options.
- Adjust cream and cheese quantities to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Use a deep skillet or wide pot to allow pasta to cook evenly in one layer.
