One pot pasta made with onion garlic, basil, tomatoes, and pasta is a delicious easy weeknight favorite. And bonus, only one dish to clean!
One pot pasta is a simple meal that always gets rave reviews in our home. Serve it with an easy salad like our cucumber tomato salad or apple blue cheese walnut salad – and don’t forget the quick yeast dinner rolls!
One Pot Pasta
One Pot Pasta
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One pot pasta ingredients
- Linguine – You can also use spaghetti or any kind of thin noodle.
- Tomatoes – Canned Italian seasoned diced tomatoes.
- Onion – Fresh, thinly sliced. We used red onion, but white or yellow will also work.
- Basil – Fresh; chopped or torn.
- Garlic – Minced; fresh or jarred.
- Stock or broth – Here’s how to make your own chicken stock. You can also use stock from a carton or can, or even a bouillon cube.
- Seasonings – Salt and pepper.
- Garnish – Grated parmesan, fresh basil, green onion, or parsley.
Make it pretty with a sprig of fresh basil before serving.
How do you make one pot pasta? (Step-by-step)
⭐ First, add all ingredients to a high sided skillet or soup pot.
⭐ Then, salt & pepper to taste.
⭐ Next, bring to a boil, reduce heat slightly and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has cooked off.
⭐ Finally, serve with grated parmesan and fresh herbs.
Instant pot one pot pasta
Add everything but garnishes to the inner liner of the pot. You may need to break the pasta in half to fit. Stir to mix the ingredients and make sure the pasta is not stuck together.
Cover and set to high pressure (manual). When cook cycle is complete, hit cancel and do a careful quick release, pausing if it begins to sputter.
Uncover and stir. Allow pasta to sit for 2 – 3 minutes to thicken before serving.
Red onion, basil, garlic, tomato, pasta, and stock.
Preparation
How much water do you need to make one pan pasta?
Our recipe actually uses stock rather than water to infuse additional flavor into the pasta. You want to use just enough liquid to cook the pasta completely, leave behind enough for a “sauce” but not so much that it’s watery.
Can I use fresh tomatoes?
Yes! Try it with fresh diced tomatoes, or halved cherry tomatoes (about 3 cups) and then add a teaspoon of dry Italian seasoning.
Why should I cook it all together?
Making pasta in one pot has the advantage of not only being incredibly simple, but also the sauce from the starch in the pasta water combined with the tomatoes, onions, herbs, and spices makes a deliciously satisfying and fresh tasting sauce.
Cook everything until the noodles are al dente and the liquid is mostly gone.
Leftovers and storage
Can you make one pan pasta ahead of time?
You can, but truly this recipe is best enjoyed immediately after making. And since it’s so easy to make there’s no great advantage to preparing it in advance.
How long does one pan pasta last?
This dish is best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. We don’t suggest freezing this recipe.
How should I reheat it?
My husband likes to eat these leftovers cold, but I reheat mine by adding a few tablespoons of water and microwaving on high for 30 – 60 seconds per serving.
There should be just enough liquid left to make a sauce.
Tips and tricks
🍗 Add pre-cooked chicken, ground beef, or sausage to make it a full meal.
🔥 Try it with red pepper flakes to crank up the heat.
🍾 Use a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or reduction before serving.
🍝 Try it with different types of pasta noodles, just pay attention because it may cook a little faster or slower.
Sometimes we’ll add cooked meat to make it a more robust meal.
What to serve with one pot pasta (serving suggestions)
If serving this as a side dish, I love to make this alongside a spatchcocked chicken and some garlic knots made with crescent dough. For dessert, a slice of zucchini bread or carrot cake with cream cheese icing.
I like a little parmesan on top. (My kids like a LOT).
Other one pot recipes to try
More pasta recipes
More Italian inspired recipes
- Italian pasta salad recipe
- Chicken puttanesca soup
- Italian shredded beef recipe
- Italian sausage soup recipe
- Recipe for chicken parm sandwiches
- See all our easy Italian recipes!
This is a favorite for busy weeknights. Perfect for my teenagers to help make.
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron pot – I love this pot for our one pot meals, soups, and so much more!
- Wooden spatula – My wooden spatulas are my absolute favorite to stir with. I don’t know why, but I feel like a real cook when I use them.
😍😍😍
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How to Make One Pot Pasta
One Pot Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound linguine
- 1 can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 1 to 2 bunches fresh basil chopped or torn
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 ½ cups stock I am partial to chicken stock, but vegetable stock works well too
- salt and pepper
- garnish: grated parmesan green onion, red pepper flakes, parsley, fresh basil
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high sided skillet or soup pot. Add salt & pepper to taste.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat slightly and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has cooked down, about 10 minutes.
- Serve with freshly grated parmesan
Video
Notes
- Add everything but garnishes to the inner liner of the pot. You may need to break the pasta in half to fit. Stir to mix the ingredients and make sure the pasta is not stuck together.
- Cover and set to high pressure (manual) for 7 minutes. When cook cycle is complete, hit cancel and do a careful quick release, pausing if it begins to sputter.
- Uncover and stir. Allow pasta to sit for 2 - 3 minutes to thicken before serving. Turn on sauté mode and simmer to cook liquid down further if needed. Garnish as desired.
Nutrition
Love Italian food? Try this open faced Italian chicken sandwich next!
One Pot Pasta
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Anna says
This is the easiest dinner for busy weekdays! My picky eaters love it!
Lily says
I love how easy this was, perfect for weeknights. This pasta recipe was so flavorful and the best part it was made in one-pan which meant less clean up for me š
Beth says
This looks so tasty and full of flavor! I can’t wait to make this! My family is going to love this!