5 One-Pot Pasta Recipes To Make Less Mess on National Pasta Day

October 17th is a date all pasta lovers can look forward to each year. This is the day we celebrate National Pasta Day! To add to the festive occasion, we’ve got a treat for you. We’re going to dive into the world of one-pot pasta recipes with meals that are not only incredibly delicious but also save you from dealing with a pile of dishes and the headache of cleaning up while giving you more time to enjoy the day and the people who join in. Plus, they are kid-friendly, so even the little ones can enjoy them. So, let’s get cooking and enjoy a mess-free National Day of noodles…made easy!

One Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo

Prep time is 10 minutes, cooking time 20 minutes, and serves 4



Ingredients

8 oz fettuccine pasta

2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips

2 tablespoons butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley for garnish



Instructions

-In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat.

-Add chicken strips and cook until white on the outside.

-Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.

-Add chicken broth, heavy cream, and fettuccine pasta. 

-Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.

-Simmer 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.

-Stir in Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Prep time is 15 minutes, cooking time 25 minutes, and serves 4



Ingredients

8 oz spaghetti

1/2 lb ground beef

1/2 lb ground pork

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

2 cups water

Fresh basil leaves for garnish



Instructions

-In a large pot, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
-Mix well and form small meatballs.

-Place the meatballs in the pot and cook over medium heat until they brown on all sides.

-Add the spaghetti, marinara sauce, and water.
-Stir to combine and be sure noodles are submerged.

-Cover the pot and simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta and meatballs are fully cooked.

-Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

One Pot Taco Pasta

Prep time is 15 minutes, cooking time 20 minutes, and serves 4-6



Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 packet taco seasoning

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes

8 oz rotini pasta

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Sour cream and sliced green onions for garnish



Instructions

-In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.
-Drain excess fat if needed.

-Add chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté 2-3 minutes until tender.

-Stir in the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes (with juice), rotini pasta and chicken broth.
-Bring to a simmer.

-Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender.

-Remove from heat and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
-Cover and allow to sit until cheese is melted.

-Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of sliced green onions.

One Pot Mac and Cheese

Prep time is 10 minutes, cooking time 20 minutes, and serves 4



Ingredients

8 oz elbow macaroni

2 cups milk

1 cup water

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings: crispy bacon bits, chopped chives



Instructions

-In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
-Stir in the flour to create a sauce.

-Gradually whisk in the milk and water until thickened.

-Stir in the elbow macaroni and simmer for 12-15 minutes, until tender.

-Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.

-Season with salt and pepper to taste.
-Serve hot with the optional toppings.

One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

Prep time is 10 minutes, cooking time 15 minutes, and serves 4



Ingredients

8.8 oz uncooked short pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

14 oz can chopped tomatoes

1 1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups vegetable stock

2 handfuls baby spinach

6-8 basil leaves, roughly shredded

Salt and pepper to taste



Instructions

-Combine pasta, olive oil, chopped tomatoes, oregano, dried

basil, onion powder, garlic powder, red chili flakes, salt and

vegetable stock in a large pot.

-Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium and cook,

covered with a lid, for 10 minutes, stirring often.

-Add the spinach and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.

-Stir in basil, season to taste and serve hot or cold.



Ingredients

8 oz spaghetti

2 cups vegetable broth

1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish



Instructions

-In a large pot, combine the spaghetti, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), chopped basil, minced garlic and red pepper flakes.

-Break the spaghetti in half for easier cooking. -Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

-Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the spaghetti is tender. 

-Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

-Season with salt and pepper to taste.

-Remove from heat to rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

-Garnish each serving with Parmesan cheese.

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