Hassle-Free One-Pot Pasta Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Tantalizing aromas fill the kitchen when you whip up this effortless one-pot pasta recipe that combines simplicity and flavor in a single pan.

Busy home cooks rejoice at a method that minimizes cleanup while maximizing taste.

Dinner becomes a breeze with minimal ingredients and even less fuss.

pasta lovers will adore how this technique streamlines the cooking process without sacrificing deliciousness.

Each bite promises a perfect blend of textures and seasonings that dance across your palate.

The magic happens as noodles, sauce, and seasonings meld together in a harmonious culinary symphony.

Let’s find out this game-changing meal that proves great food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Ingredient List for One-Pot Pasta

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables and building deep flavor layers.
• White Onion: Adds sweet, sharp base note that creates aromatic backbone of the dish.
• Red Bell Pepper: Introduces vibrant color and crisp, slightly sweet dimension to the pasta.

• Lean Ground Beef, Impossible Meat: Delivers hearty protein punch and robust meaty texture.
• Taco Seasoning: Infuses classic Southwestern zesty, bold taste profile into entire dish.
• Smoked Paprika: Contributes smoky, complex undertone with warm, earthy character.
• Ground Cumin: Brings warm, slightly nutty depth characteristic of Mexican-inspired cuisine.

• Diced Tomatoes: Creates juicy, tangy base that helps tenderize meat and build sauce.
• Chopped Green Chilis: Introduces mild, bright pepper heat and authentic southwestern essence.
• Elbow Pasta: Serves as perfect vehicle for capturing sauce and providing satisfying texture.
• Beef or Vegetable Broth: Provides moisture and additional layered flavor complexity.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding creamy, sharp richness to overall dish.
• Fresh Cilantro: Offers bright, herbal freshness that cuts through rich elements.
• Lime Juice: Provides zingy, acidic balance to heavy ingredients.
• Hot Sauce: Allows customizable heat level for personal preference.
• Salt: Enhances and harmonizes all existing flavors.

Tools for Making One-Pot Pasta Easily

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the entire one-pot pasta dish, providing enough space for all ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and breaking up ground beef without scratching the pot's surface.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, bell peppers, and cilantro with ease.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation and chopping.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add taco seasoning, paprika, and cumin.
• Cheese grater: Useful if you're shredding fresh cheddar cheese instead of using pre-shredded.
• Lid: Covers the pot during simmering to trap heat and cook pasta evenly.
• Lime squeezer (optional): Makes extracting fresh lime juice quick and mess-free.

One-Pot Pasta Preparation Instructions

• Sizzling Beginnings

Heat a large pot over medium-high flame, letting olive oil dance and shimmer, creating a golden stage for flavor.

• Veggie Chorus

Toss in chopped onions and bell peppers, watching them soften and release their sweet aromatics into the pan.

• Protein Power

Introduce ground beef, breaking it into crumbly bits with a wooden spoon. Let it sizzle and transform from pink to perfectly browned.

• Spice Symphony

Sprinkle taco seasoning, paprika, and cumin, creating a fragrant blanket that coats the meat with zesty warmth.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in canned tomatoes and green chilis, allowing their vibrant juices to mingle with the seasoned meat.

• Pasta Dive

Nestle dry pasta into the bubbling mixture, ensuring each strand gets a flavorful coating.

• Broth Bath

Flood the pot with beef broth, bringing everything to a rolling boil that promises deliciousness.

• Simmer and Melt

Reduce heat, cover, and let the pasta dance in its sauce for 13-15 minutes. Sprinkle shredded cheddar, watching it melt into creamy ribbons.

• Final Flourish

Finish with a burst of fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a dash of hot sauce. Let the flavors mingle and marry before serving up this one-pot wonder.

Flavor Upgrades for One-Pot Pasta Recipes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option. Each meat brings its unique flavor profile to the dish, keeping dinner exciting and nutritious.
• Dial up heat by adding extra cayenne pepper or using a spicier taco seasoning blend. Experiment with different chili powders to create your signature one-pot masterpiece.
• Toss in extra vegetables like corn kernels, diced zucchini, or black beans to increase nutritional value and add more texture to the meal. These additions make the pasta more filling and colorful.
• Try mixing different cheese varieties like pepper jack, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend instead of standard cheddar. Each cheese transforms the overall taste and creates a delightful surprise.
• This pasta reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of broth when warming to maintain moisture and restore the original creamy consistency.

Serving Ideas for One-Pot Pasta Dishes

• Fiesta Family Feast: Serve this vibrant one-pot pasta as a complete meal that brings everyone together. Top with fresh garnishes and let each person customize their plate.
• Taco Night Twist: Transform your typical taco night by presenting this pasta in individual bowls. Offer extra toppings like diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips, and additional hot sauce on the side.
• Meal Prep Magic: Pack cooled portions in meal prep containers for easy lunches during the week. The flavors develop wonderfully overnight, making this dish even more delicious when reheated.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve in a large communal dish for sports gatherings or potlucks. Its hearty nature and bold flavors make it perfect for feeding hungry friends who love bold, satisfying meals.

Save and Store One-Pot Pasta Leftovers

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Whip up double the recipe and stash extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that save time and energy.
• Refrigerator Refresh: Carefully store leftovers in sealed containers, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: This one-pot wonder freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion into individual containers, leaving slight space for expansion, and label with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheating Magic: Revive refrigerated or thawed pasta by adding a splash of beef broth while warming in a skillet. Stir gently to redistribute moisture and restore the dish's original delicious consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 465 kcal

Servings: 5

Creamy One-Pot Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy one-pot pasta brings Italian comfort to home kitchens with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Quick ingredients meld together, creating a luxurious meal that delights diners seeking simple yet satisfying culinary experiences.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb lean ground beef (or 12 oz if using Impossible Meat)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 oz elbow pasta
• 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilis
• 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning or 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsps fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
• Salt, as needed
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Green onions, chopped
• Sour cream
• Lime wedges

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then swiftly sauté onions and bell peppers until they become translucent and slightly softened.
2. Brown Protein: Add ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles, and cook until the meat loses its pink coloration. For plant-based alternatives, reduce cooking time and ensure proper heating.
3. Season Mixture: Sprinkle taco seasoning, paprika, and cumin over the meat, then incorporate undrained canned tomatoes and green chilis, stirring to distribute flavors evenly.
4. Pasta Integration: Introduce dry pasta to the seasoned mixture, coating each piece thoroughly with the meat and vegetable blend.
5. Liquid Activation: Pour beef broth into the pot, increasing heat to medium-high until the liquid reaches a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 13 to 15 minutes.
6. Cheese Infusion: Remove from heat and fold in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts completely and creates a creamy consistency.
7. Final Touches: Enhance the dish with chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, and optional hot sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt to taste, then let rest for 3 to 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
8. Serving: Plate the one-pot pasta, garnishing with sliced scallions, a dollop of sour cream, and lime wedges for a fresh, zesty finish.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Cooking: Brown ground beef thoroughly, breaking into small crumbs to maximize flavor absorption and ensure even cooking.
• Control Liquid Consistency: Monitor broth levels during simmering to prevent pasta from becoming too dry or too soupy; stir occasionally to maintain perfect texture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent scorching, creating smooth, creamy consistency without grainy texture.
• Flavor Boosting Tip: Let dish rest after cooking to allow seasonings to blend and intensify, transforming simple ingredients into a more complex, robust meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 465
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg