This is the easiest Creamy One Pot Pasta you will ever make! Less than 10 minutes to prep and as easy as tossing everything in the pot and stirring. Dinner doesn't get any easier, or tastier than this creamy, parmesan pasta!
If you like pasta and you also like to put minimal effort into cooking an amazing dinner, then this EASY Creamy One Pot Pasta is literally screaming your name.
We are talking toss all of the ingredients into the pot, turn on the heat, and about 20 minutes later, dinner is served.
Who would not be down for that??
There are a lot of things in life that you have to work hard for, don't let dinner be one of those things.
Almost easier than 1, 2, 3:
- Put all the ingredients into a pot.
- Bring to a boil for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in cream and parmesan.
THAT. IS. IT.
And then you sit down to a cheesy, creamy pasta dinner that tastes amazing and gets zero complaints from the family. Seriously, you are not dreaming, this is for real!
What you will need:
- You can use veggie or chicken broth. I often prefer lower or no sodium broths when cooking so that I can add salt to taste in the end.
- Leave the juices in the tomatoes when adding to the pot--no need to drain them as the liquid will get absorbed when boiling.
How to make this recipe:
The only thing you need to chop is the onion in this easy one pot pasta. Everything else gets tossed right into the pot as is.
- Add all of the ingredients except the cream and parmesan to a large pot. The pasta should be uncooked! Stir it all up and you are set. Bring the pot to a boil on medium heat for about 13-15 minutes, or until pasta is cooked al dente. (steps 1-3)
Once the pasta is cooked, set the heat to low. Slowly stir in the cream and parmesan until smooth and creamy. Simmer for a few minutes to help thicken the sauce before serving with an extra sprinkle of parmesan! (steps 4-5)
Notes and Tips:
- If the pasta seems to be boiling too high, lower the heat slightly and stir it well.
- Most of the liquid will boil down in this Creamy One Pot Pasta, but you do not want all of it to do so. If it looks like the liquid is almost gone, you can add an extra ½ cup or so of broth while cooking. This will keep the pasta from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Any grated cheese combo would be delicious if you want to up the ante. Parmesan, Romano, asiago--you name it!
Try these other simple dinners:
- Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
- Creamy Parmesan Instant Pot Pasta
- Easy One Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Easy Baked Pasta Dinner
- Simple Ground Turkey Skillet Dinner
- Parmesan Crusted One Pan Chicken Dinner
- 15 Minute Lentil Sloppy Joe's
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Creamy One Pot Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 c rotini pasta, uncooked
- 4 c vegetable broth (chicken will work too!)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes, do not drain liquid! (approx. 14 oz. cans)
- 3 c baby spinach, fresh
- 1 small small onion, chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon basil*
- 1 teaspoon oregano*
- ½ teaspoon rosemary*
- ⅓ c heavy cream
- ⅔ c grated parmesan
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine all ingredients except for the parmesan and the cream. Stir well to combine.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook for about 13-15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- Lower the heat to low and add in the cream and parmesan and stir until smooth and creamy. Simmer for several minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Serve with an extra sprinkle of parmesan and enjoy!
Notes
- If the pasta seems to be boiling too high, lower the heat slightly and stir it well.
- Most of the liquid will boil down in this Creamy One Pot Pasta, but you do not want all of it to do so. If it looks like the liquid is almost gone, you can add an extra ½ cup or so of broth while cooking. This will keep the pasta from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Any grated cheese combo would be delicious if you want to up the ante. Parmesan, Romano, asiago--you name it!
Tayler says
How many oz of dry pasta would be equal to 4 cups?
Lorie says
Hi! It's about 12 ounces. That is why I put the 4 cups since packages typically come in 16 ounces.
Deb says
This looks delicious. I’d like to make this in advance, if that is possible. If so, how would you recommend doing so? Thanks.
Lorie says
Hi Deb! How far in advance are you wanting to make this? You can certainly make it a day ahead and then just warm everything up again before serving.
Lillian says
can you use almond milk or canned coconut milk to sub out the heavy cream? or even evaporated milk?
Lorie says
If you are trying to keep it dairy free, a cashew cream or something slightly thicker would be ideal. However, you still should be ok with the other options, just won’t be as thick and rich.