One-pan pasta

A one-pan pasta recipe is the kind of dinner you turn to when you want something comforting but don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. Everything cooks together in the same pan, which means less time cooking and almost no cleanup after. It’s the perfect meal for a busy weeknight or for those slow, lazy weekends when you just want something easy and tasty without the effort.

The idea is simple. Instead of boiling pasta in one pot and preparing the sauce in another, you combine everything in a single pan. The pasta cooks right in the liquid alongside vegetables, garlic, onion, and spices. As the noodles absorb the liquid, they take on all the flavor. The result is creamy, saucy, and satisfying with almost no work at all.

This version uses spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, and spinach for a fresh and colorful mix. A little onion, garlic, and chili flakes give depth and a gentle kick of heat. For the liquid, you can choose what you have on hand. Gazpacho adds richness, but water or tomato juice work just as well. When the pasta is tender and the liquid has reduced, you finish it with your favorite cheese. It can be vegan or not, depending on what you like.

What makes this dish so useful is its flexibility. You can swap the vegetables, change the spices, or add extra protein like tofu or beans. It’s one of those recipes that always works, no matter how you adapt it.

In about 20 minutes you have a warm, filling dinner that feels homemade but takes hardly any effort. A one-pan pasta recipe is proof that cooking can be simple, delicious, and stress-free.

Print Recipe

ONE-PAN PASTA

This one-pan pasta recipe is simple, flavorful, and made with minimal effort. Everything cooks together in a single pan — pasta, vegetables, spices, and liquid — creating a creamy, risotto-like dish without the need for multiple pots or long prep. Cherry tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and red onion bring freshness and depth, while the pasta soaks up all the flavors. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner or a comforting option for lazy weekends.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: easy pasta, one pan pasta, vegan pasta recipe

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 200 g 7 oz spaghetti
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic finely diced
• ½ red onion thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp chili flakes
• 2 cups gazpacho or water or tomato juice, adjust as needed
• ½ cup cheese of choice I used violife
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a dry pan.
• Add liquid and begin to stir until the liquid has absorbed and the pasta al dente.
• Keep adding liquid if necessary. Start with less and little by little add more.
• Cook it like a risotto by stirring to avoid sticking.
• Add cheese of choice and stir until melted and creamy!