one pot pasta recipe for busy families. If that line makes your shoulders drop and your stomach rumble, you’re my kind of person. Weeknights get wild in my house, so I lean on fast, cozy dinners that don’t ask for a sink full of dishes. Today I’m sharing 6 Easy One Pot Pasta Recipes for Busy Families to Savor. Each one cooks in a single pot, tastes like a hug in a bowl, and uses simple pantry ingredients. Let’s get dinner on the table without any fuss. 
Why you’ll love this dish
These one-pot pastas are the dinner friend that never bails. They’re quick to prep, easy to clean up, and flexible enough to handle what’s in your fridge. You simmer pasta with broth, sauce basics, and your chosen add-ins right in the same pot. The starch from the pasta helps create a silky sauce that clings to every bite. Kids tend to love the creamy, saucy vibe, and adults appreciate that there’s actual flavor without ten steps.
Here’s what else makes these recipes winners for weeknights:
Fewer dishes, fewer decisions means a calmer kitchen. The method is forgiving. If you’re missing one herb or want to swap spinach for peas, dinner still turns out comforting and delicious.
They’re budget friendly and pantry based. Most recipes use pasta, broth, garlic, onion, and a protein or veggie. From there, you can dress them up with a splash of cream or keep it lighter with tomatoes and greens.
Craving a veggie loaded option that still tastes rich and satisfying? Try this spin on my favorite creamy garlic chicken pasta with broccoli. The broccoli drinks up the garlicky sauce and softens into little green flavor sponges.
“I made the creamy chicken version on a night I truly didn’t want to cook. My kids asked for seconds, and I only had one pot to wash. That never happens.”
One Pot Pasta for Busy Families
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
Quick and easy one pot pasta recipes perfect for busy weeknights, using pantry staples and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- Pasta (short shapes like penne, rotini, macaroni, or broken spaghetti)
- Low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- Oil or butter for cooking
- Onion, garlic, or shallot
- Veggies (spinach, peas, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, cherry tomatoes)
- Protein (cooked chicken, Italian sausage, ground beef, tuna, chickpeas)
- Tomato paste or canned tomatoes
- Dried Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes
- Cream or half and half (optional)
- Cheese (Parmesan, mozzarella, cheddar)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat oil or butter and sauté diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add uncooked pasta, seasonings, and enough broth to mostly cover.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, adding more liquid if necessary.
- Once the pasta is nearly tender, stir in your protein, creamy elements, and cheese.
- Finish with fresh herbs and extra cheese as desired.
Notes
Keep liquid levels near the pasta. Adjust seasonings and liquid as needed to avoid a watery sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: One Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: one pot pasta, quick dinner, easy recipes, family meals, weeknight cooking
Ingredients needed
You can make a one pot pasta recipe for busy families using mostly pantry staples. Here’s a general list I keep handy so I can pull one of these six dinners together at a moment’s notice.
- Pasta: short shapes like penne, rotini, macaroni, or longer spaghetti broken in half
- Liquid: low sodium chicken or vegetable broth, plus water as needed
- Aromatics: onion, garlic, or shallot
- Veggies: spinach, peas, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, cherry tomatoes
- Protein: cooked chicken, Italian sausage, ground beef, tuna, chickpeas
- Flavor boosters: tomato paste, canned tomatoes, lemon, dried Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes
- Creamy options: cream, half and half, cream cheese, or canned coconut milk
- Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella, cheddar depending on the recipe
- Finishing touches: butter, olive oil, fresh basil or parsley
Note on salt: your broth and cheese will add salt, so taste as you go. And if you’re going for creamy, hold back the dairy until the end to prevent curdling.
How to make the recipe
The method stays almost the same for all six, which makes it easy to remember on a busy night. Start by softening aromatics in oil or butter. Add uncooked pasta, seasonings, and just enough broth to mostly cover. Simmer, stir here and there, add more liquid if needed, and finish with your creamy elements and cheese. That’s it. You get a glossy sauce, tender pasta, and dinner done.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne
This is the comfort classic. In a large pot, warm a bit of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. Sauté a diced onion and 3 cloves minced garlic until fragrant. Stir in 12 ounces penne, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer and stir until the pasta is almost tender. Fold in 2 cups cooked shredded chicken, 1 cup half and half, and 1 cup grated Parmesan. If you want extra garlic goodness, my go-to is this creamy garlic chicken pasta method as a base. Finish with parsley and another sprinkle of cheese.
Tomato Basil Veggie Spaghetti
Break 12 ounces spaghetti in half and add to a pot with a can of diced tomatoes, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 small sliced onion, 3 cloves garlic, and a handful of cherry tomatoes. Season with 1 teaspoon dried basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer until the pasta softens, adding a splash more broth or water as needed. Stir in a big handful of spinach right at the end. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and grated Parmesan. It’s bright, simple, and somehow tastes like you cooked for hours.
Sausage and Pepper Rigatoni
Brown 12 ounces Italian sausage until crumbly. Add 1 sliced bell pepper, 1 small sliced onion, and 2 cloves garlic. Cook until the veggies are tender. Toss in 12 ounces rigatoni, 3 cups chicken broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Simmer, stir, and add more liquid if the pot looks dry. Finish with a splash of cream and a handful of mozzarella. It’s cozy and just a little smoky.
Lemon Tuna and Peas Pasta
This is the pantry hero. Sauté garlic in olive oil, add 12 ounces short pasta, 3 to 3.5 cups vegetable broth, and a pinch of salt. When the pasta is close to done, fold in 1 can drained tuna and 1 cup frozen peas. Finish with 1 tablespoon butter, zest and juice of half a lemon, and Parmesan. The lemon brightens everything and the peas add sweetness.
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Brown 1 pound lean ground beef with a little onion and garlic. Add 12 ounces elbow macaroni, 3 cups beef broth, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1 teaspoon paprika, and a small spoon of tomato paste. Simmer until the pasta is tender. Stir in 1 cup milk and 1.5 cups shredded cheddar until saucy. It tastes like the boxed stuff, except fresher and better.
Bonus flavor detour: try a tangy and buttery spin inspired by this Turkish pasta with garlicky yogurt and paprika butter. Cook short pasta in broth, then swirl in a garlicky yogurt sauce off the heat and finish with a paprika butter drizzle. It hits creamy, tangy, and warm spice notes all at once. This one also ticks the box for a one pot pasta recipe for busy families because the yogurt thickens the sauce quickly without heavy cream.
Expert tips
Keep liquid near the level of the pasta and add more in small splashes. This helps the sauce reduce as the pasta cooks, so you get a silky finish instead of something watery.
If the pot looks dry before the pasta is tender, add more warm broth or water, about a quarter cup at a time. Stir often so the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t stick.
When using dairy, lower the heat at the end and stir the cream in slowly. If it gets too hot, it can separate. Parmesan is your best friend for adding body fast, but don’t forget to taste for salt before adding more.
Use a wide, heavy pot. A Dutch oven or sturdy soup pot gives you even heat and room to stir. That air space also helps reduce the sauce to that glossy, scoopable texture you want.
Keep frozen veggies around. Peas, spinach, or mixed veggies can go straight in near the end. They cook in a minute, which makes this a great one pot pasta recipe for busy families even when the fridge looks bare.
Want a kid friendly start with a little extra veg? The broccoli twist on this creamy garlic chicken pasta with broccoli is a weekly favorite at my place. It stays saucy and the broccoli gets tender, not mushy.
Serving suggestions
- Quick salad: throw together mixed greens, olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper
- Garlic bread or toasted ciabatta: perfect for mopping up extra sauce
- Roasted veggies: toss zucchini or broccoli in olive oil, salt, and roast at 425 F until caramelized
- Simple dessert: a warm fruit dessert keeps the cozy vibe, like this easy apple crisp with oats
- Extra comfort night: pair with a small bowl of soup as a starter or lunch the next day
For a family style spread, set out bowls of fresh herbs, extra cheese, red pepper flakes, and lemon wedges. Let everyone finish their bowl the way they like. It turns a simple pot of pasta into a fun, build-your-own dinner and makes the whole meal feel special. And yes, this is still a one pot pasta recipe for busy families because nothing else needs to cook on the side.
Looking for another creamy option that leans garlicky and cozy? Use the base from this one pot creamy garlic chicken pasta and switch the protein or throw in veggies. Flexibility is the secret power of one pot meals.
Common Questions
Can I use gluten free pasta? Yes. Short shapes hold up best. Check for doneness a little early and add liquid in small amounts since gluten free pasta can release more starch.
What if my sauce is too thin? Simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, stirring, until it thickens. A handful of Parmesan helps the sauce tighten quickly.
Can I make these dairy free? Absolutely. Use olive oil instead of butter and finish with a splash of the pasta cooking liquid plus extra olive oil. Coconut milk can stand in for cream in some recipes.
How do I store and reheat leftovers? Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to bring back the sauciness.
What if I only have water, not broth? Use water and season a bit more. Add extra onion, garlic, herbs, and a knob of butter at the end to build richness.
Ready to stir, simmer, and savor?
These 6 Easy One Pot Pasta Recipes for Busy Families to Savor need simple ingredients, a single pot, and about 30 minutes. They’re flexible, family approved, and perfect for nights when you’d rather not play chef. If you want even more inspiration, check out this quick and cozy 3-ingredient one pot pasta idea or go a little indulgent with a saucy One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta. Keep the pantry stocked, trust your taste, and let dinner be easy. You’ve got this, and your sink will thank you.
