12 Insanely Easy One-Pot Pasta Recipes for Busy Nights

12 Insanely Easy One-Pot Pasta Recipes for Busy Nights

12 Insanely Easy One-Pot Pasta Recipes for Busy Nights

Craving pasta but don’t want a sink full of dishes? These 12 one-pot pasta recipes cook everything together — pasta, sauce, and all — for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.

One-pot creamy mushroom pasta in a pot with fresh thyme
RECIPE 01

One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Rich, creamy mushroom pasta made entirely in one pot — minimal dishes, maximum flavor.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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, 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.
One-pot sausage and spinach pasta in tomato sauce
RECIPE 02

One-Pot Sausage & Spinach Pasta

Savory sausage, fresh spinach, and pasta simmered together for bold flavor and barely any cleanup.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
  4. Fold in spinach until wilted.
  5. Top with parmesan and season to taste.
One-pot lemon chicken pasta with parsley garnish
RECIPE 03

One-Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta

Bright, zesty lemon chicken pasta made in a single pot for an easy weeknight dinner.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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, add broth, bring to a simmer.
  3. Add uncooked pasta, cook until tender, about 12 minutes.
  4. Return chicken to the pot with lemon zest and juice.
  5. Stir in parmesan, garnish with parsley.
One-pot garlic parmesan pasta with cracked pepper and parsley
RECIPE 04

One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Simple, garlicky, cheesy pasta made entirely in one pot. Ready in 20 minutes with almost no dishes.

⏱ 20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
One-pot tomato basil chicken pasta with fresh basil
RECIPE 05

One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta

Juicy chicken, tomato, and basil simmered together in a single pot for a full dinner with barely any cleanup.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
One-pot broccoli alfredo pasta with creamy sauce
RECIPE 06

One-Pot Broccoli Alfredo Pasta

Creamy alfredo sauce and tender broccoli made entirely in one pot for an easy, filling dinner.

⏱ ~15 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
One-pot Cajun shrimp pasta with parsley garnish
RECIPE 07

One-Pot Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Bold Cajun-spiced shrimp and pasta cooked together in one pot — big flavor, small cleanup.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
One-pot taco pasta with melted cheddar and sour cream
RECIPE 08

One-Pot Taco Pasta

All the flavors of taco night in a creamy, cheesy one-pot pasta the whole family will love.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
  4. Stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
  5. Top with sour cream and cilantro if desired.
One-pot beef stroganoff pasta with mushrooms and parsley
RECIPE 09

One-Pot Beef Stroganoff Pasta

Tender beef and mushrooms in a creamy, savory sauce — classic stroganoff flavor with zero extra pots.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
One-pot pesto chicken pasta with cherry tomatoes and parmesan
RECIPE 10

One-Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

Vibrant basil pesto and juicy chicken tossed with pasta for a fresh, fast one-pot dinner.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
One-pot buffalo chicken pasta with cheddar and green onion
RECIPE 11

One-Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Spicy buffalo chicken meets creamy pasta in one pot — bold flavor with easy cleanup.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.
One-pot spinach artichoke pasta with creamy sauce
RECIPE 12

One-Pot Spinach Artichoke Pasta

All the flavors of everyone’s favorite dip, turned into a creamy, comforting one-pot pasta dinner.

⏱ ~20 minutes🍽 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 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.

One Pot, Endless Weeknight Wins

Fewer dishes, big flavor, and dinner on the table fast — these 12 one-pot pasta recipes are exactly what busy nights call for. Pin or bookmark this page so you always have a go-to easy dinner ready to cook.

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