12 Insanely Easy One-Pot Pasta Recipes for Busy Nights

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta (any short shape)
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 2 tbsp butter, salt, pepper, thyme

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot, sauté mushrooms until golden. Remove half for garnish.
2. Add onion and garlic, cook until soft.
3. Add uncooked pasta and broth, bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender (about 12 minutes).
4. Stir in cream and parmesan until thickened.
5. Top with reserved mushrooms and fresh thyme.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan, salt, pepper, chili flakes

Instructions

1. Brown sausage in a large pot, breaking it into crumbles.
2. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds, then add diced tomatoes and broth.
3. Stir in uncooked pasta, simmer until tender, about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Fold in spinach until wilted.
5. Top with parmesan and season to taste.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• Zest and juice of 2 lemons
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 2 tbsp olive oil, fresh parsley, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot, season and sear chicken until cooked through. Remove.
2. Sauté garlic in the same pot, then add broth and bring to a simmer.
3. Add uncooked pasta, cook until tender, about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Return chicken to the pot with lemon zest and juice.
5. Stir in parmesan, garnish with parsley.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan
• 3 tbsp butter, fresh parsley, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot, sauté garlic until fragrant.
2. Add broth and uncooked pasta, bring to a simmer.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 12 minutes.
4. Stir in cream and parmesan until glossy and thick.
5. Garnish with parsley and cracked pepper.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 1 can (24 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• Fresh basil, olive oil, parmesan, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot, sear chicken until browned. Remove.
2. Sauté garlic, then add crushed tomatoes and broth.
3. Stir in uncooked pasta, simmer until tender, about 12 minutes.
4. Return chicken to the pot, simmer 2 more minutes.
5. Top with fresh basil and parmesan.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Sauté garlic in a large pot, then add broth and uncooked pasta.
2. Simmer, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
3. Add broccoli florets, continue cooking until pasta is tender, about 4 more minutes.
4. Stir in cream and parmesan until thickened.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream, olive oil, parsley, salt

Instructions

1. Toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning. Sear in oil until pink, about 2 minutes per side. Remove.
2. Sauté garlic in the same pot, add broth and uncooked pasta.
3. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 12 minutes.
4. Stir in cream, then return shrimp to the pot.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar, sour cream, cilantro (optional)

Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot, drain excess fat.
2. Stir in taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and broth.
3. Add uncooked pasta, simmer until tender, about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
5. Top with sour cream and cilantro if desired.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta (egg noodles or fusilli)
• 1 lb beef strips or ground beef
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup sour cream, salt, pepper, fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Brown beef in a large pot, remove and set aside.
2. Sauté onion and mushrooms in the same pot until golden.
3. Add broth and uncooked pasta, simmer until tender, about 12 minutes.
4. Return beef to the pot, stir in sour cream off the heat.
5. Season and garnish with fresh parsley.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup basil pesto
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Parmesan, olive oil, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot, sear chicken until cooked through. Remove.
2. Add broth and uncooked pasta to the pot, simmer until tender, about 12 minutes.
3. Stir in pesto and return chicken to the pot.
4. Fold in cherry tomatoes.
5. Top with parmesan before serving.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, green onion, salt

Instructions

1. Sear chicken in a large pot until cooked through. Remove.
2. Add broth and uncooked pasta, simmer until tender, about 12 minutes.
3. Stir in cream cheese and buffalo sauce until smooth.
4. Return chicken to the pot, stir in cheddar until melted.
5. Garnish with green onion.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, chopped
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Sauté garlic in a large pot, then add broth and uncooked pasta.
2. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 12 minutes.
3. Stir in cream cheese and parmesan until melted and smooth.
4. Fold in artichoke hearts and spinach until wilted.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Why cook pasta directly in the sauce instead of boiling it separately?

Cooking pasta in broth lets it absorb flavor as it cooks, and the starch released thickens the sauce naturally — plus it means one less pot to wash.

Can I use any pasta shape for one-pot recipes?

Short shapes like penne, rotini, and fusilli work best since they cook evenly submerged in liquid. Long shapes like spaghetti can work too, but may need breaking in half.

What if my one-pot pasta turns out too thick or too thin?

Too thick — stir in a splash of extra broth or water. Too thin — simmer uncovered a few extra minutes to reduce the sauce.