• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

Small book

My cookbook "Dinner" now available!

  • My RecipeTin
  • My cookbook!
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Christmas ⭐️
      • Starters
      • Mains
      • Sides: Warm & Hearty
      • Sides: Light & Fresh
      • Desserts
      • Breads
      • Christmas Leftovers
    • Iconic + cult classics
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish recipes
      • Salad Meals
    • Quick and Easy
    • Soups
    • One Pot
    • Stews
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Salads & veg
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice (all)
      • Fried rice recipes
      • Rice (plain)
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
      • Ice cream
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • Japanese
        • Korean
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • Cocktails
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
    • Cookbook recipes
  • Collections
  • About
    • Me
    • RecipeTin Meals
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home One Pot

Vegetable Pasta – One Pot!

By:Nagi
Published:24 Sep '18Updated:14 Aug '23
240 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

A quick Vegetable Pasta that’s made with less pasta and more veggies that tastes so amazing, no one realises it’s a healthy pasta recipe!!! It’s a vegetarian pasta loaded with a whole head of broccoli, corn, zucchinis, capsicum/peppers and onion, and smothered in a garlic herb tomato sauce.

All made in one pot – from scratch, in 20 minutes. *Fist pump!*

Overhead close up of One Pot Vegetable Pasta (healthy pasta recipe) in a white pot, fresh off the stove ready to be served

Vegetable Pasta

There’s a time for making vegetable pasta the proper way – roasting veggies until beautifully caramelised, making a pasta sauce, cooking the pasta, then bringing it all together at the end. It’ll take close to an hour, and it’s totally fabulous.

This one pot vegetarian pasta is for all those other times.

A complete meal that covers all bases:

  • tons of veggies;

  • light on the pasta;

  • minimal prep;

  • just one pot to clean; and

  • absolutely delish. (The cheese helps… 😉)

One Pot Vegetable Pasta (healthy pasta recipe) in a white pot, fresh off the stove ready to be served.

Choose your own vegetables and pasta

This is a terrific versatile vegetarian pasta that you can make your own using your vegetables of choice. I’ve used a whole head of broccoli, the icy remains of frozen corn, 2 zucchinis nearing the end of their life and a capsicum/bell pepper. All vegetables I happened to have (albeit I then had to go out and buy them again to make the video 😂)

You can also choose your own pasta. This recipe will work with any short pasta – macaroni, spirals, penne, ziti (which is what I’ve used).

Jeez, I’m being flexible today, aren’t I! I figure after all the rules I set out in Friday’s Chocolate Mousse, I was due for a nice and easy “use what you want” recipe today. 😂

Though having said that, while this vegetable pasta is adaptable to whatever vegetables and short pasta you want, the liquid quantities and cook times are not as flexible so please do follow the recipe.

Ingredients in One Pot Vegetable Pasta (healthy pasta recipe)

A 20 Minute Quick Healthy Dinner

This recipe has a nice flow to it. I start off by chopping the garlic and onion, then get that on the stove to cook slowly on a low heat so it becomes sweet and becomes an amazing flavour base for this quick healthy dinner.

In between leisurely stirring the onion every now and then, I chop the other vegetables, pop open cans and measure out the herbs and spices so it’s all ready to go into the pot by the time the onion is done.

Once the pasta is in, it takes a mere 10 minutes to finish cooking. Much longer than this and you’ll end up with soggy pasta, so basically, this has to be a quick 20 minutes recipe otherwise your pasta is overcooked! 😂

How to make One Pot Vegetable Pasta (healthy pasta recipe)

Overhead photo of healthy pasta / one pot vegetable pasta in a rustic bowl, ready to be eaten.

I know I’m talking up how this is a healthy Vegetable Pasta recipe but when you watch the video, you’re going to see me toss in a nice handful of cheese that’s stirred through the pasta, then a bit more to melt on top.

There’s no denying cheese makes this even tastier, but for a healthier option, opt for some parmesan instead.

Excluding the cheese, this pasta is a mere 378 calories per serving – and it’s a generous serving size, this recipe makes a big pot full!

Either way, you’re going to be yscoffing this down. Added bonus: it’s great Couch Food.  (Definition: food you can eat on the couch without taking your eyes off the TV 🙌🏻) – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

Sometimes it’s nice to have a visual, so watch me make this Vegetable Pasta!

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Overhead close up of One Pot Vegetable Pasta (healthy pasta recipe) in a white pot, fresh off the stove ready to be served

Vegetable Pasta - One Pot!

Author: Nagi
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 15 minutes mins
Total: 20 minutes mins
Mains
Western
4.87 from 82 votes
Servings5
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 234
Recipe video above. A quick healthy dinner with more veg and less pasta, all made in one pot! For a lower cal option, skip the cheese and serve with parmesan sprinkled on top. Workflow: Get the onion cooking while you prep the other ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 onion , finely chopped
  • 2 zucchinis* , halved lengthwise and cut into sliced 0.8cm / 1/3" slices
  • 1 red capsicum/bell pepper* , halved and sliced
  • 1 cup corn* (frozen or canned)
  • 1 broccoli* , broken into bite size florets
  • 250g/ 0.5lb ziti/penne , or other short pasta (Note 1)
  • 800 g / 28 oz crushed tomato
  • 1.5 cups / 375 ml vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Italian herb mix (or other dried herbs)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (chilli flakes, adjust spiciness to taste)
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper

Optional:

  • 1.5 cups shredded cheese of choice (Cheddar, tasty, Monterey Jack etc)

To serve:

  • Finely chopped parsley (optional)
  • Parmesan (if not using cheese)

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large pot over medium. Add garlic and onion - cook slowly for 3 to 4 minutes until onion is translucent and sweet.
  • Turn heat up to medium high, add zucchini and capsicum. Cook 1 1/2 minutes.
  • Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT pasta and broccoli. Stir until tomato paste dissolves.
  • When liquid starts bubbling, lower heat to medium, add pasta and stir. Top with broccoli, push in.
  • Place lid on and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Remove lid. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is almost cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed by the pasta.
  • Stir through half the cheese (if using). Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  • Top with remaining cheese, put lid on. Leave for 1 minute until cheese is melted and pasta is perfectly cooked.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve immediately. Don't leave leftovers in the pot, residual heat will overcook the pasta so transfer into a serving dish.

Recipe Notes:

* These vegetables can be switched with vegetables of choice - use 7 to 8 cups in total, chopped or sliced. Cook cauliflower and broccolini in the same way the broccoli is cooked in this recipe ie placed on top of the pasta so it steams first before stirring through.
1. Pasta - any short pasta can be used: penne, ziti, macaroni, spirals.
Pasta cook times may need adjustment. If undercooked to your taste and liquid has reduced down, just add a touch of water. Most important is to ensure you don't overcook the pasta! Mushy pasta is not pleasant!
2. Nutrition per serving, assuming 5 servings excluding the cheese which is optional. Cheese adds 120 calories per serve. If cheese is omitted, serve with parmesan instead. 
Nutrition Facts
Vegetable Pasta - One Pot!
Amount Per Serving
Calories 378 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Sodium 1273mg55%
Potassium 1459mg42%
Carbohydrates 72g24%
Fiber 11g46%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 2260IU45%
Vitamin C 177.6mg215%
Calcium 164mg16%
Iron 4.9mg27%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 378cal (19%)Carbohydrates: 72g (24%)Protein: 15g (30%)Fat: 5g (8%)Sodium: 1273mg (55%)Potassium: 1459mg (42%)Fiber: 11g (46%)Sugar: 16g (18%)Vitamin A: 2260IU (45%)Vitamin C: 177.6mg (215%)Calcium: 164mg (16%)Iron: 4.9mg (27%)
Keywords: One Pot Pasta, Vegetable Pasta
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

MORE ONE POT PASTA READER FAVES!

Silky creamy sauce and perfectly cooked pasta, this is the best way to make a One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta. No more gluggy sauces and unevenly cooked pasta! recipetineats.com
One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Pot of One Pot Pasta Bolognese, fresh off the stove
One Pot Pasta Bolognese
Chili Mac in a white cast iron pot, fresh off the stove ready to be served
Chili Mac and Cheese
Creamy Chicken Vegetable Orzo in a skillet, fresh off the stove. Quick one pot chicken dinner - 15 minutes!
Quick Chicken & Vegetable Risoni recipe (Orzo)
Overhead close up photo of Cheeseburger Casserole - homemade Hamburger Helper - fresh out of the oven in a white cast iron skillet
Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
Creamy Chicken Vegetable Orzo in a skillet, fresh off the stove. Quick one pot chicken dinner - 15 minutes!
One Pot

Life of Dozer

If only it was real….

Dozer the golden retriever dog with toy wagyu beef

Previous Post
Chocolate Mousse
Next Post
Cornbread Muffins

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Related Posts

Freshly made One-pan Baked Butter Chicken

One-pan Baked Butter Chicken

Pot of freshly made One pot creamy tomato beef pasta

One pot creamy tomato beef pasta

Creamy fish on potato gratin fresh out of the oven

Creamy baked fish on potato gratin

More One Pot

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




240 Comments

  1. Jo says

    June 25, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for the family this weekend, but left out the broccoli on the top as neither the kids or hubby are fans of this vegetable. It went down a treat, with lovely flavours. Will be using this recipe again!

    Reply
  2. Rachel says

    May 27, 2023 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe!
    Used chicken stock powder and added water.
    A winner for our family!

    Reply
  3. Janine says

    May 22, 2023 at 7:40 am

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi,
    I made this recipe tonight, as I had limited groceries in the house and no meat. I did not have zucchini but I had every other ingredient. It turned out great! My husband was quite sceptical to try a dish without meat, but he had two helpings! Thanks for such a fast, economical and delicious recipe.

    Reply
  4. AJ says

    April 19, 2023 at 9:30 am

    1 star
    :/

    Reply
  5. Natalie says

    April 13, 2023 at 7:56 pm

    Lovely recipe although I did not have any brocolli and when it came to the chilli flakes I free poured a bit too much into the pot, therefore did not add any pepper. I had rounded 1 1/2 tsp vegetable stock powder as I did not have ready made stock. The result was delicious except a bit too much chilli due to my clumsy error. I then put in 150g sour cream and omitted the cheese. Such a great creamy result with plenty of flavour and was a quick midweek dinner (hence my messy put together of this). Would definitely cook again.

    Reply
  6. Nat says

    March 30, 2023 at 6:44 pm

    1 star
    Sorry this was not nice at all. Last time the pasta and broccoli were still hard so this time I pre boiled and added in the sauce it was like a bland watery mixture. I ended up throwing most of it out

    Reply
  7. Ray says

    March 18, 2023 at 9:32 am

    5 stars
    I have been coming back to this recipe for years now. It makes for easy meal prep for busy weeks for me and is always delicious!

    Reply
  8. Michelle says

    December 7, 2022 at 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    great recipe thanks! I would cut the red pepper flakes in half next time, personally, and not use cheese, it’s hearty and delicious without it. I was also liberal with the dried basil and oregano (italien “blend”).

    Reply
  9. Sandy says

    November 13, 2022 at 10:09 am

    5 stars
    This was so delicious. My husband and I loved it. I didn’t have anymore cheese but it was still so tasty and perfect for a meatless dinner. Thank you so much. I’m just printing out more of your other great recipes to try. So happy I found your website.

    Reply
  10. Silvia E. says

    July 9, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    5 stars
    Being Italian, I was suspicious of this recipe because the pasta wasn’t cooked separately to the sauce. Heresy! But then I remembered that I used to think that about risotto cooked in the oven and that turned out to be an extremely good idea.
    Unfortunately I misread the recipe and put in a whole 500g pack of penne so I didn’t start out well. I realised my mistake when the pasta was still hard after 10 minutes of cooking, added some extra liquid and cooked it for another 10 mins or so, stirring and adding water if it got too dry.
    The dish looks exactly like the video. It is tasty and there is a lovely creaminess to it which I think is caused by the fact that all the starches, which usually go down the drain in the cooking water, stay in the sauce. I imagine that if I had only put in half the pasta, the tomato would have been more concentrated, maybe even too much so for my liking.
    A great couch recipe indeed! Brava Nagi.

    Reply
  11. Alliison says

    July 3, 2022 at 10:13 am

    5 stars
    I made this with mushrooms vs. broccoli. Instead of Penne I used frozen cheese ravioli. I sauteed all the veg in my instapot, added the sauce, some water but not as much as my pasta was pre-cooked and not going to absorb as much fluid. I instapot under high for 5 minutes. Was delicious.

    Reply
  12. Jenna says

    June 6, 2022 at 8:25 pm

    I followed this word for word and my penne all split into little strips quite early on when they were still a bit crunchy. Definitely wasn’t from overcooking. Any idea what might have caused this? It was a cheap packet of pasta but I’ve used this brand before in other recipes and never had this happen.

    Reply
  13. Steve says

    May 2, 2022 at 8:33 pm

    5 stars
    Out of all the recipes on this site, this is undoubtedly our favourite. It’s simple, it’s extremely tasty, and it’s so easy to modify to suit. Love this one.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 4, 2022 at 4:04 pm

      It’s one of the best ways to clean out that veggie drawer! N x

      Reply
  14. Emilie says

    March 17, 2022 at 1:17 am

    5 stars
    So yummy! 😋

    Reply
  15. Martha says

    February 27, 2022 at 5:21 am

    5 stars
    This pasta is just too good!

    Reply
  16. Christina Sharp says

    February 22, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    5 stars
    I made it tonight — sorry lack of pics! — it is delicious, very good flavor. Can see the ease with adjusting to whatever veggies you have on hand. I skipped the corn Bc I didn’t have it and it was as still chock full of veggies and quite good. Husband had seconds and 4 year old ate his and some of mine. Recommend! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us!

    Reply
  17. Renae says

    January 13, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    This dish is very easy to make and delicious

    Reply
  18. Kristin says

    December 21, 2021 at 8:44 pm

    5 stars
    Soooooooo good. I love all your recipes 💓

    Reply
  19. Judi says

    December 18, 2021 at 5:42 am

    How much pasta? Can’t wait to try this.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 19, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      Scroll down to the recipe for quantities! N x

      Reply
  20. Paul says

    November 11, 2021 at 9:04 am

    5 stars
    OMG, this is amazing. Thought we should try a veggie dish & definitely a keeper. Thank you

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer
As Featured On
  • Goodfood
  • Food Network
  • Better Homes Gardens
  • Taste
  • Nine
  • Network 10
  • BuzzFeed
  • Daily Telegraph
  • Women's Day

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe to my newsletter and receive 3 FREE ebooks!

Subscribe
Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • By Category
  • Collections
About
  • About Nagi
  • About Dozer
  • RecipeTin Meals
Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
  • Food Bloggers Central
Help
  • Contact
  • Image Use Policy
© RecipeTin Eats 2023
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits
Maintained by Zao Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
All Rights Reserved

Subscribe to my newsletter

Sign up and receive 3 FREE EBOOKS!