20 Quick & Delicious One-Pot Pasta Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Sandra Walker

October 13, 2025

20 Delicious Pastas You Can Make In One Pot

20 Delicious Pastas You Can Make In One Pot

One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Just like a perfectly balanced recipe, the combination of garlic and parmesan cheese in this pasta dish creates a harmonious union of flavors. The addition of butter and fettuccine elevates it to a whole new level, making for a truly exceptional culinary experience. This indulgent pasta is rich and creamy, yet the pungency of the garlic cleverly cuts through the richness of the parmesan cheese, preventing the sauce from becoming overpoweringly savory.

Instead, each bite is a delightful balance of flavors that will leave you craving more.

One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Wrapped around a delicious tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese is everything you love about traditional chicken parmigiana. However, this pasta version is significantly easier to prepare than its classic counterpart. One of the best things about this dish is that it eliminates the need to worry about washing multiple pots, pans, and plates – everything gets cooked in a single bowl from start to finish, including the chicken, marinara sauce, and pasta.

Easy One-Pot American Goulash

Easy One-Pot American Goulash

Hailing from American culinary traditions, this goulash embodies the quintessential essence of comfort food. The unassuming yet satisfying combination of macaroni and ground beef, smothered in a rich marinara sauce, is a recipe for joy. Though simple in nature, it possesses an uncanny ability to hit the spot every time. While it’s already a winning formula as is, adding an extra layer of indulgence with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese takes this humble dish to new heights.

One-Pot Pizza Pasta Bake

One-Pot Pizza Pasta Bake

Versatility is at the heart of this delectable dish. Rather than having to choose between pizza and pasta, you can now enjoy them in perfect harmony, all from one convenient pot. The outcome is a matchless masterpiece that brings together two of Italy’s most beloved culinary creations. Rotini pasta, Italian sausage, and pepperoni are expertly combined with a rich tomato sauce, perfectly seasoned to bring out the best flavors.

To put the finishing touches on this mouth-watering dish, a generous sprinkling of creamy mozzarella cheese is applied, adding a delightful stringy texture that’s sure to leave you wanting more.

One-Pot Veggie Pasta

One-Pot Veggie Pasta

While it’s common for kids to be hesitant about eating vegetables, especially when they’re hidden in a familiar dish like pasta, this recipe is sure to change their minds. The combination of rich tomato sauce, perfectly cooked rotini noodles, and melted mozzarella cheese creates a decadent treat that will leave them wanting more.

What they won’t even notice are the finely chopped red bell peppers and zucchini, expertly blended into the sauce to add extra flavor and nutrition without altering the taste or texture of the dish.

One-Pot Spaghetti

One-Pot Spaghetti

Something truly special awaits you when you try this spaghetti recipe. This dish is simplicity personified, making it a breeze to prepare and cook. The result is nothing short of extraordinary. The combination of a rich marinara sauce, tender ground beef perfectly seasoned with aromatic spices, al dente noodles, and a layer of creamy melted cheese all coming together in one pot is nothing short of culinary magic.

Trust me when I say that once you’ve experienced the flavor and convenience this recipe has to offer, you’ll never look back at your old cooking habits again.

One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

While fresh tomatoes and basil have long been a staple combination in many cuisines, their light and refreshing flavors continue to captivate palates worldwide. The vibrant contrast created by the red of the tomatoes against the green of the basil is undeniably striking, making this pairing impossible to resist.Incorporating other ingredients such as spinach leaves, parmesan cheese, and pancetta further enhances both color and flavor in the dish.

One-Pot Spaghetti Carbonara

One-Pot Spaghetti Carbonara

Regardless of their culinary skills, parents should always have a reliable carbonara recipe up their sleeve. If you don’t have one yet, rest assured that the following one is a foolproof option. Its simplicity and consistency make it a great choice for busy families, as it’s remarkably easy to prepare and turns out delicious every time. The combination of white sauce, pasta, and cheese is what makes this dish so hard to get wrong.

One-Pot Pasta Bolognese

One-Pot Pasta Bolognese

You don’t need to be an expert chef to whip up a delicious Bolognese sauce, as it’s essentially a straightforward combination of ingredients that yield impressive results. The simplicity of using vegetables, tomatoes, and ground meat may seem paradoxical, given the rich flavor profile that these humble components produce when combined. Simply toss this sauce with your pasta of choice and add some cheese for an easy and satisfying meal, perfect for any occasion.

One-Pot Fettuccine Alfredo

One-Pot Fettuccine Alfredo

Among the numerous pasta dishes that have captured our hearts, fettuccine alfredo stands out as an irresistibly addictive favorite. Its rich and creamy sauce has a way of making us come back for more, no matter how full we are. Every recipe online may promise to deliver a similar flavor, but some indeed stand out from the rest. This particular recipe is one that you can follow with ease, without sacrificing any of the authentic taste.

One-Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

One-Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Savoring the union of lemon and ricotta creates a light and refreshing sauce that’s simply delightful. The subtle saltiness of the cheese perfectly complements the tartness of the lemon, resulting in a harmonious balance of flavors. This blend not only adds depth but also a hint of richness to the pasta dish, making it an absolute treat that you’ll crave for seconds without hesitation.

One-Pot Pasta With Cheesy Lentil Sauce

One-Pot Pasta With Cheesy Lentil Sauce

Glorious flavors and textures abound in this delectable vegetarian pasta dish that’s sure to please even the most discerning palate. A rich and creamy tomato lentil sauce is the star of the show, packed with a depth of cheesy goodness that will leave you wanting more. One of its greatest strengths lies in its nutritional value – being vegetarian means it’s not only healthier but also gets bonus points for being a nutritious option. Plus, the best part?

It’s incredibly easy to prepare and cook, making it a perfect solution for busy lives. With this recipe, you can have a delicious lunch or dinner ready in as little as 20 minutes.

One-Pot Spaghetti Puttanesca

One-Pot Spaghetti Puttanesca

Yearning for a culinary experience that’s anything but ordinary? You’ll find it in puttanesca, a sauce that defies convention by relying on the bold flavors of Kalamata olives, capers, and anchovies. Unlike its rich and creamy counterparts, this Italian staple gets its depth from the salty, umami notes of these three key ingredients. The resulting taste is a masterclass in balance, with the varying levels of saltiness and earthy undertones coming together to create a truly unique flavor profile.

But that’s not all – red peppers, oregano, and garlic also make an appearance, elevating puttanesca to new heights and making it a must-try for any pasta lover.

One-Pot Ziti With Sausage

One-Pot Ziti With Sausage

Keeping your eyes fixed on this delectable pasta dish is almost impossible. The vibrant colors and enticing aromas are likely to make your stomach growl with hunger, even if you’ve just had lunch. The key components that contribute to its irresistible charm are the rich sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella that blanket the ziti noodles. However, there’s another crucial element that adds depth and complexity to this dish: the abundance of Italian sausage crumbles.

These crumbles provide a welcome contrast to the indulgent sauce, with their smoky flavor expertly balancing out the richness and cheesiness.

One-Pot Ravioli in a Creamy Tomato Beef Sauce

One-Pot Ravioli in a Creamy Tomato Beef Sauce

Making ravioli from scratch can be a daunting task for many home cooks. From mixing and kneading the pasta dough to carefully crafting each individual ravioli by hand, it requires a significant amount of time, effort, and skill. Fortunately, there’s an easier way. This recipe uses store-bought beef ravioli as its base, saving you from having to tackle the more challenging aspects of traditional ravioli making.

However, don’t worry that your dish won’t suffer for it – the rich and creamy tomato sauce is sure to elevate the pre-made pasta into a truly satisfying and delicious meal.

Easy One-Pot Lasagna

Easy One-Pot Lasagna

Cautious readers may think this recipe sounds too good to be true, but I’ve put it to the test and can confirm that it’s surprisingly legitimate. It appears that you can indeed create a delicious lasagna in just one pot, eliminating the need for cooking noodles separately from the sauce or layering individual components. The absence of baking is also a notable advantage. And, as a personal witness, I can attest that the end result is nothing short of incredible.

One-Pot Spinach and Feta Macaroni and Cheese

One-Pot Spinach and Feta Macaroni and Cheese

Fortunately, you don’t have to compromise on taste when feeding your kids vegetables. By incorporating a small amount of steamed spinach into this indulgent macaroni and cheese recipe, even the pickiest eaters will hardly notice its presence. The bold flavors of the dish will dominate, making it easy for them to enjoy their meal without feeling like they’re being tricked or forced to eat something new.

One-Pot Bacon Broccoli Pasta

One-Pot Bacon Broccoli Pasta

Vegetables like broccoli can be quite polarizing, and pairing them with unexpected ingredients is a great way to add excitement. One such unconventional yet surprisingly effective combination is bacon and broccoli. Not only does the smoky flavor of bacon make broccoli more enjoyable for kids, but it’s also likely to become their new favorite dish – so much so that they’ll be begging for seconds!

One-Pot Garlic White Wine Pasta

One-Pot Garlic White Wine Pasta

Sophistication and elegance are key elements in making any meal stand out, whether it’s a romantic date night or a leisurely brunch with friends. Adding a touch of luxury is easy as incorporating a splash of white wine into your recipe, which not only elevates the flavor but also adds an air of sophistication to the dish. The subtle yet distinct taste that white wine lends to the sauce is nothing short of divine.

One-Pot Pasta Primavera

One-Pot Pasta Primavera

Packed with an array of vibrant spring vegetables, Primavera is a revitalizing dish that embodies the essence of springtime. This Italian-inspired culinary delight combines the crunch of broccoli, shallots, carrots, and zucchini with the sweetness of squash and bell peppers. Paired with farfalle noodles and a rich coconut milk sauce, this pasta primavera is sure to be a standout on any table as it captures the essence of the season, making it a certified spring sensation.

20 Easy One-Pot Pastas

You’ve probably noticed that many one-pot pasta recipes have gained popularity in recent years. In fact, they’re a perfect solution for those with limited time on their hands. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create delicious meals such as chicken parmesan, goulash, ziti, or even ravioli. Italian cooking has never been more accessible, making it easier to enjoy your favorite dishes without having to slave away in the kitchen for hours.

Instructions

Instructions

Here are the steps to get started with preparing your favorite pasta dish: first, choose a recipe that you’re excited about and can complete within 30 minutes or less. Next, gather all the necessary ingredients from your pantry, fridge, and any other storage areas to ensure everything is ready to go.

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