By: Denise Bustard7 Comments
Posted: 10/23/20Updated: 10/26/20
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12 healthy one pot pasta recipes made with protein and vegetables to fill you up! These are simple to prepare, flavorful, and makes clean up a breeze.
We are big fan of one pot meals, because they mean that clean up is extra easy. One pot pasta is at the top of the list because not only is clean up easy, but so much flavor absorbs into the pasta while it cooks!
How does it work?
One pot pasta involves cooking the pasta right in the sauce. This simplifies the cooking process and reduces the number of dishes for us to wash up. As the pasta cooks, the starches and cheese help thicken the sauce, and so much flavor absorbs into the noodles.
One pot pasta tips
- pasta shapes- for my one pot pasta recipes, unless the recipe calls for orzo, you can change up the shapes. Penne, rotini, macaroni, bow tie, and small shells can be swapped in with the same liquid ratios, but you will need to adjust the cook time as needed.
- stir frequently-it's important that you stir the pasta frequently during the cook time so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot and burn. Do it quickly, and replace the lid.
- Instant Pot- some of the one pot pasta recipes in this round up have been successfully cooked in the Instant Pot! It's smart to put tomato products or anything 'thick' on top of the pasta, and I've found that half the cook time on the pasta box + 2 minutes works well for us. Some people prefer it al dente (just do half the cook time on the box). Always do a quick pressure release.
- meal prep- several of the one pot pasta recipes in this round up can be prepared ahead, so that all you need to do is dump the ingredients into the pot, add the pasta, and start cooking! Refer to directions on the recipe card to determine if the recipe can be prepped ahead. Check out one pot pasta freezer packs for tried & true recipes.
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One Pot Healthy Cajun Chicken Orzo
This one pot healthy cajun chicken orzo ispacked full of veggies and ready in 30 minutes. Plus: only one pot to wash up!
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One Pot Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
Creamy, cheesy one pot spinach artichoke pasta tastes luxurious and is easily made with a handful of ingredients. Juicy chicken thighs, artichoke hearts, spinach and pasta all cook in one pot for a complete, flavorful meal your family will love.
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One Pot Sausage Pasta
Throw the ingredients for this one pot sausage pasta into the pot, stir it a few times, and dinner is ready...it really is that simple! Perfect for meal prep and for busy nights, this is one meal the whole family will love.
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Sun Dried Tomato One Pot Pasta
This sun dried tomato pasta with chickpeas, mushrooms and spinach cooks up in one pot! Give it a few stirs, and dinner is ready! Easy to assemble ahead and customize with your favorite ingredients.
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One Pot Black Bean Fajita Pasta
One pot black bean fajita pasta is creamy and delicious vegetarian pasta recipe. With bell peppers, onions, black beans and fajita seasonings, it's perfect for weeknight dinners or for meal prep.
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One Pot White Bean Pasta with Leeks and Asparagus
A healthy vegetarian one pot white bean pasta recipe made with leeks, asparagus, lemon and gruyere. Ready in 30 minutes and only one pot to wash up!
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One Pot Shrimp Linguine with Spring Vegetables
Make clean up easy with this one pot shrimp linguine! Loaded with healthy spring vegetables, garlic, white wine, parmesan cheese and juicy shrimp, it's a simple and elegant meal to prepare.
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One Pot Pasta with Chicken, Feta and Dill
Make clean up a breeze with this one pot pasta with chicken, feta and dill. Inspired by Greek flavors, it is a complete meal loaded with protein, vegetables and carbs. Simple to prepare and even simpler to clean up!
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One Pot Pasta with Kale & Goat Cheese
An easy weeknight dinner that cooks up all in one pot and is on the table in 30 minutes! This pasta contains creamy goat cheese, lemon, pine nuts, kale and chicken.
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One Pot Shrimp and Squash Orzo
This tasty one pot shrimp and squash orzo is made with butternut squash, shrimp, orzo, feta and a squeeze of lemon juice. It is packed with flavor, cooks in a single pot, and has the creamiest sauce...with no cream added.
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Spicy Instant Pot Peanut Noodles
Spicy Instant Pot peanut noodles are an easy veggie-loaded recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes! Works great as a meal prep recipe.
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One Pan Orecchiette with Ground Turkey and Zucchini
Simple, delicious, and easy to prep, this one pan orecchiette with ground turkey has summery zucchini, lemon zest, parmesan cheese and sliced almonds. Get dinner on the table quickly and make clean up a breeze!
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Meet Denise Bustard
Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.
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Reader Interactions
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Andrea Hendrickson says
Always looking for quick healthy meal ideas
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Ashley says
Thanks so much for including me Denise!!! I am definitely always in need of more one-pot dinner ideas!! Too many dishes in my life! haha
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Denise says
ME TOO! LOL. I have to try your pasta, it looks so delicious, Ashley!
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Kelly says
Yay for one pot and I love that these are all loaded with veggies and protein! They all look amazing! Definitely adding a few of these to our dinner menu! Thanks so much for including me! 🙂
Reply
Denise says
Thanks, Kelly! I definitely have to try your one pot taco pasta! It looks SO good!
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Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
Mmmm, I'm working on my menu plan for next week and this round up is giving me plenty of inspiration! I love that these are complete meals-in-one with protein AND veggies! Thanks so much for including me! 🙂
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Denise says
I just need protein in my dinner, otherwise I am hungry an hour later. Love the looks of both of your recipes, Kristine 🙂
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