Pasta Recipes For Dinner 11 Quick Creamy One Pot Winners 2025

Q: What are the top 10 pasta dishes?

While tastes vary, the most globally famous pasta dishes consistently include classics like Spaghetti Bolognese, Lasagna, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Carbonara. Other beloved staples are Cacio e Pepe, Pasta alla Norma, Shrimp Scampi, Pesto Pasta, Baked Ziti, and Mac and Cheese. These dishes are celebrated for their rich flavors and comforting qualities.

Q: What can I cook with pasta for dinner easily?

For an easy dinner, pair pasta with ingredients you can cook in the same pot. Excellent options include ground beef, Italian sausage, or chicken breast, which can be browned first. Quick-cooking vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms can be stirred in near the end. For a super simple meal, a high-quality jarred sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is a classic choice.

It’s a familiar story: you get home after a long day, you’re starving, and the last thing you want to do is face a complicated recipe that uses every pot and pan you own. The thought of cooking a delicious, comforting meal is tempting, but the vision of a sink overflowing with dirty dishes is enough to make you reach for takeout. The cleanup often feels like more work than the cooking itself, turning a relaxing dinner into a stressful chore.

After countless weeknights spent scrubbing multiple pots and pans, we’ve perfected the art of the one-pot pasta—a method that saves time and infuses every noodle with incredible flavor. This isn’t about compromising on taste for convenience; it’s about making your kitchen work smarter, not harder.

The solution is one-pot pasta, the ultimate game-changer for weeknight dinners. By cooking the pasta directly in the sauce, you minimize cleanup to a single pot, save precious time, and create an incredibly flavorful, creamy dish as the pasta starches naturally thicken the sauce. We’ve tested and perfected 11 incredible recipes that prove you can have a gourmet-quality meal without the mess.

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11 Quick & Creamy One-Pot Pasta Winners (Ready in Under 30 Minutes)

Each of these 11 recipes has been rigorously tested in our own kitchen to ensure they are foolproof, fast, and family-approved, delivering perfect results every time. From hearty meat sauces to light vegetarian options and spicy Cajun creations, there’s a delicious meal here for every craving. Forget boiling pasta separately and draining it in a colander—everything comes together beautifully in one pot for maximum flavor and minimum cleanup.

1. One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This dish is a rich, restaurant-quality chicken pasta you can easily make in one pot. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a parmesan cream sauce makes for an elegant yet simple weeknight dinner.

Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 lb chicken breast (cubed), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 4 cups chicken broth, 1 lb penne pasta, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), 2 cups fresh spinach, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the uncooked penne pasta.
3. Cover, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach has wilted and the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

Pro-Tip: For an extra layer of flavor, use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar instead of regular olive oil to brown the chicken.

Pin this creamy chicken dinner for your next busy weeknight!

2. One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Beef & Bowtie Pasta

This is a hearty, family-friendly pasta recipe using ground beef that comes together in a flash. The creamy garlic parmesan sauce coats every bowtie, making it an instant crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 medium onion (chopped), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 4 cups beef broth, 1 lb bowtie pasta, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Pour in the beef broth and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
3. Stir in the uncooked bowtie pasta. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season to taste.

Pro-Tip: Don’t rinse your pasta! The starch released during cooking is essential for creating that naturally thick and creamy sauce without needing any flour or cornstarch.

Save this hearty ground beef recipe for a guaranteed family favorite!

3. One-Pot Spicy Italian Sausage & Penne

For those who like a little kick, this spicy Italian sausage pasta delivers robust, savory flavor in every bite. The sausage, peppers, and creamy tomato sauce create a perfectly balanced and zesty meal.

Ingredients: 1 lb hot Italian sausage (casings removed), 1 bell pepper (diced), 1 onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 lb penne pasta, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional).
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, cook the Italian sausage, bell pepper, and onion over medium-high heat until the sausage is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juice), chicken broth, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add the uncooked penne pasta, ensuring it is submerged. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked.
4. Stir in the heavy cream and heat through for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is creamy.

Lesson Learned: If you use sweet Italian sausage, you can control the heat by adding red pepper flakes to your liking. Hot Italian sausage gives the whole dish a wonderful, deep flavor right from the start.

Craving some spice? Pin this sausage pasta recipe now!

4. Viral One-Pot “Marry Me” Tortellini

This recipe takes the famously delicious and viral “Marry Me” dish and transforms it into an effortless one-pot tortellini version. The decadent sun-dried tomato and cream cheese sauce is proposal-worthy.

Ingredients: 1 lb cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen), 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, fresh basil for garnish.
Instructions:
1. In a large skillet or pot, combine chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, whisking until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
3. Add the tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook according to package directions, typically 3-7 minutes, stirring gently until tender.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Pro-Tip: For the creamiest sauce, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before adding it to the pot. It will melt seamlessly into the broth and cream.

See what all the hype is about! Save this viral recipe to your dinner board.

5. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi (with Linguine)

Create a light yet incredibly flavorful seafood pasta dish quickly and with minimal cleanup. The bright lemon and garlic butter sauce perfectly complements the succulent shrimp.

Ingredients: 1 lb linguine (broken in half), 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, 4 tbsp butter, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined), juice of 1 lemon, 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped), 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, bring broth to a simmer. Add the linguine and cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring often, until almost al dente. Most of the liquid should be absorbed.
2. Push pasta to one side of the pot. Add butter to the empty side and let it melt. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until they turn pink and opaque.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley, tossing everything together to combine.

Pro-Tip: Do not overcook the shrimp! Add them in the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. They cook very quickly and will become tough if left on the heat too long.

Pin this elegant shrimp scampi for a 20-minute dinner win!

6. One-Pot Creamy Spinach & Mushroom Fusilli (Vegetarian)

This dish is proof that a satisfying and creamy vegetarian one-pot pasta can be just as comforting as its meaty counterparts. Earthy mushrooms and fresh spinach swim in a dreamy parmesan cream sauce.

Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil, 8 oz mushrooms (sliced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 lb fusilli pasta, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 cups fresh spinach, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, pinch of nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add mushrooms and cook until browned and their liquid has evaporated. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the uncooked fusilli.
3. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of nutmeg. Cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens. Season to taste.

Pro-Tip: For the best flavor, let your mushrooms get deeply browned before adding any liquid. This caramelization process, called the Maillard reaction, creates a much richer, meatier taste.

Perfect for Meatless Monday! Save this vegetarian pasta recipe.

7. One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo

This recipe gives classic Alfredo a spicy, flavorful Cajun twist. The creamy, cheesy sauce gets a punch of flavor from bold Cajun seasoning, creating an unforgettable dinner.

Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast (cubed), 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 4 cups chicken broth, 1 lb fettuccine (broken in half), 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Instructions:
1. Toss chicken cubes with Cajun seasoning. Heat oil in a large pot and cook chicken until browned and cooked through. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the fettuccine, ensuring it’s submerged.
3. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente.
4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.

Lesson Learned: Be careful not to let the sauce boil after adding the cream and cheese, as it can cause the dairy to separate. A gentle heat is all you need to melt the cheese and create a velvety texture.

Add some spice to your life! Pin this Cajun Alfredo recipe.

8. One-Pot Cheesy Ground Turkey & Penne

For a lighter, yet still cheesy and satisfying, pasta dinner, this recipe uses ground turkey. It’s a healthier take on a classic cheesy pasta that doesn’t skimp on comfort or flavor.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 lb penne pasta, 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, brown the ground turkey with the onion. Drain any excess fat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Stir in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Add the uncooked penne pasta, stirring to combine. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and bubbly.

Pro-Tip: To boost the vegetable content, stir in a large handful of fresh spinach or a cup of frozen peas during the last 3 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time.

For a lighter cheesy pasta, pin this ground turkey recipe!

9. One-Pot Sun-Dried Tomato & Boursin Pasta

This recipe makes the viral baked Boursin pasta trend even easier by adapting it to a single pot. The herby, garlicky Boursin cheese melts into a ridiculously creamy and flavorful sauce in minutes.

Ingredients: 1 lb short pasta (like rotini or penne), 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), 1 (5.2 oz) package Boursin cheese (Garlic & Fine Herbs), fresh basil for garnish.
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, combine the uncooked pasta, vegetable broth, and sun-dried tomatoes.
2. 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 of the liquid is absorbed.
3. Remove from heat. Add the entire block of Boursin cheese to the center of the pasta.
4. Let it sit for 2 minutes to soften, then stir vigorously until the cheese melts into a creamy, luscious sauce that coats every piece of pasta. Garnish with fresh basil.

Lesson Learned: This recipe works best if you take the pot off the heat before stirring in the Boursin. The residual heat from the pasta and pot is more than enough to melt it into a perfect sauce without it becoming oily.

The easiest viral pasta ever! Pin this Boursin recipe for later.

10. One-Pot French Onion Pasta

This unique and deeply flavorful pasta dish mimics the incredible taste of French onion soup. The magic is in the slowly caramelized onions, which create a sweet and savory base for the cheesy, comforting sauce.

Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter, 2 large onions (thinly sliced), 1 tsp sugar, 4 cups beef broth, 1 lb rigatoni or other short pasta, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese.
Instructions:
1. In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and sugar. Cook slowly for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and jammy.
2. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
3. Stir in the uncooked pasta. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until pasta is al dente.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, then gradually stir in the Gruyère cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.

Pro-Tip: Patience is key for caramelizing onions. Don’t rush this step by turning up the heat. Low and slow is the only way to develop that deep, sweet flavor that makes this dish incredible.

Your favorite soup is now a pasta! Pin this unique recipe.

11. One-Pot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pasta

This is a cheesy, comforting, and kid-friendly one-pot meal that includes a healthy dose of vegetables. It’s like your favorite broccoli cheddar soup and mac and cheese had a delicious baby.

Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast (cubed), 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 4 cups chicken broth, 1 lb elbow macaroni, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 cup milk or heavy cream, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a large pot and cook chicken until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the elbow macaroni.
3. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 6-8 minutes, until pasta is almost tender.
4. Stir in the broccoli florets and milk. Continue to simmer for another 3-4 minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp and pasta is cooked.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and the sauce is creamy.

Lesson Learned: To avoid mushy broccoli, add it in the last few minutes of cooking. This keeps it vibrant green and tender-crisp, adding a nice texture to the dish.

A guaranteed hit with the kids! Save this cheesy broccoli pasta recipe.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Perfect One-Pot Pasta

Liquid is Key: Use about 4 cups of liquid (broth, water, etc.) for every 1 pound of pasta. The pasta absorbs the liquid as it cooks.
Stir, Stir, Stir: Frequent stirring is crucial to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, especially as the liquid reduces.
Timing Matters: Add proteins and aromatics first to build flavor. Add delicate vegetables like spinach and cream or cheese at the very end to maintain texture and prevent separating.
The Starch is Your Friend: The starch released from the pasta is what naturally thickens the sauce, creating a creamy texture without extra thickeners.
Choose Your Shape Wisely: Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, and bowties work exceptionally well as they cook evenly and hold sauce beautifully.

Final Thoughts

A delicious, comforting, and stress-free dinner is completely achievable, even on the busiest nights, with the magic of a one-pot pasta. By embracing this simple technique, you’re not just saving time on cleanup; you’re creating deeper, more integrated flavors and reclaiming your weeknights.

Which one of these creamy pasta recipes will you be trying first? Let us know in the comments below

Pasta Recipes for Dinner 11 Quick Creamy One Pot Winners 2025