One-Pot Budget-Friendly Pasta (Print out)

Easy one-pot pasta featuring veggies, herbs, and Parmesan for a flavorful, fuss-free dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried penne or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices
07 - 3.5 oz baby spinach

→ Liquids

08 - 3 cups vegetable broth

→ Dairy and Seasonings

09 - 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
12 - 0.5 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
02 - Stir in diced zucchini and bell pepper; cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
03 - Add uncooked pasta, canned tomatoes with their juice, and vegetable broth to the pot. Sprinkle in dried Italian herbs, chili flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
05 - Uncover pot and stir in baby spinach and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 1-2 minutes until spinach wilts and cheese melts.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot topped with additional Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One pot means one dish to wash, which honestly feels like winning the lottery after a long day.
  • The pasta drinks in all the broth and tomato flavors as it cooks, so every bite tastes intentional instead of thrown together.
  • You can make this with whatever vegetables are hiding in your fridge, so it adapts to what you actually have on hand.
02 -
  • Don't skip the occasional stir during cooking—it prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom and ensures even absorption of all that liquid.
  • The pasta will seem soupy before you add the spinach and cheese, but those final additions plus the residual heat finish the texture perfectly, so trust the timing.
03 -
  • Always taste your finished dish before serving—broth brands and even tomato cans vary in saltiness, so a quick adjustment means everyone loves what's in their bowl.
  • If your pasta seems too thick at the end, add a splash of water or broth and stir; it loosens into the right consistency in seconds, and that flexibility is why this recipe is so forgiving.
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