16 One-Pot Pasta Recipes for Quick Dinners and Even Faster Cleanups

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Dinner doesn’t have to mean a sink full of dishes and an hour of cleanup. These one-pot pasta recipes keep things simple without cutting corners on flavor. Everything cooks together in a single pot, letting the ingredients blend into something rich and satisfying with minimal effort. It’s the kind of cooking that works on busy nights, lazy weekends, and anytime you just want a meal that practically makes itself. Less mess, fewer steps, and great results—what’s not to love?

Tik Tok Viral French Onion Pasta

A large pot filled with cooked farfalle pasta in a creamy sauce, topped with fresh parsley. A wooden spoon rests in the pot, and a small dish of chopped parsley is nearby.
Tik Tok Viral French Onion Pasta. Photo credit: Mary’s Whole Life..

French onion soup meets pasta in this viral favorite, and yes, it’s every bit as good as it sounds. Caramelized onions, melty gruyere, and one-pot simplicity make it a must-try for anyone who loves big flavors without big effort.
Get the Recipe: Tik Tok Viral French Onion Pasta

Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe with Parmesan

Forked zucchini pasta sauce.
Linguine with creamy zucchini sauce. Photo credit: Recipes from Leftovers.

Got too much zucchini? This creamy parmesan zucchini sauce turns it into something worth twirling your fork for. Made in one pot with just a handful of ingredients, it’s a no-fuss way to sneak extra veggies into pasta night.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe with Parmesan

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

A pot of pasta with ground meat, diced tomatoes, spinach, and herbs, garnished with red pepper flakes, on a dark cloth with fresh basil and seasoning nearby.
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This mac and cheese skips the box and goes straight to homemade goodness, all in one pan. Turkey, spinach, and peppers make it feel slightly responsible, but the real cheddar cheese keeps it just as comforting as the classic.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta

A spoonful of creamy pasta with visible ground meat, cheese, and small bits of tomatoes.
Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Taco Tuesday leftovers staring at you from the fridge? Turn them into something even better with this cheesy, one-pot pasta that makes the most of that extra taco meat. It’s fast, frugal, and no one will complain about eating tacos twice in one week.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta

Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

A bowl of pasta spirals mixed with ground meat, topped with chopped green onions, on a striped cloth.
Cheesy Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

This cheesy hamburger casserole is basically comfort in a dish—ground beef, pasta, and melted cheese working together like a dream team. One pot means less cleanup, and it’s budget-friendly enough to keep everyone fed without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

One Pot Paleo Hamburger Helper

A white bowl filled with pasta in a creamy sauce, featuring visible chunks of meat and red peppers, garnished with chopped green herbs.
One Pot Paleo Hamburger Helper. Photo credit: Mary’s Whole Life..

This isn’t the boxed stuff from childhood—it’s better. A cleaner, homemade take on the classic, this one-pot meal keeps things simple, fast, and comforting while skipping the questionable ingredients.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Paleo Hamburger Helper

Broccoli Mac and Cheese

A fork holding a bite of macaroni and cheese with broccoli. In the background, a white dish contains more of the cheesy pasta and broccoli mixture.
Broccoli Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Easy Dinner Bites.

Mac and cheese, but with a sneaky helping of veggies? This creamy one-pot wonder delivers on comfort while making broccoli taste way better than it should. It’s the kind of dinner that pleases both kids and adults without any complaints.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

A wooden spoon mixing creamy shell pasta in a pot.
Gluten Free Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

This mac and cheese proves that gluten-free can still mean ridiculously creamy and comforting. It’s just as easy as the boxed kind but with way more flavor, and since it’s all made in one pot, there’s no excuse not to make it.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

One Pan Lemon Chicken Gnocchi

A skillet with grilled chicken breasts, gnocchi, lemon slices, and basil leaves.
One Pan Lemon Chicken Gnocchi. Photo credit: Less With Laur.

Light but rich, fresh but cozy—this lemon chicken gnocchi does it all in just one pan. The creamy, zesty sauce clings to every bite, making this an easy, no-fuss dinner that still feels a little fancy.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Lemon Chicken Gnocchi

Creamy Sausage Red Pepper Pasta

A skillet filled with penne pasta, sauce, mushrooms, spinach, and grated cheese. A wooden spoon rests inside the skillet, and a small bowl of grated cheese is nearby on a gray surface.
Creamy Sausage Red Pepper Pasta. Photo credit: Flavor the Moments.

This one-pot pasta brings creamy roasted red pepper sauce, spicy sausage, and fresh spinach together for a dish that’s both easy and a little fancy. It’s the kind of meal that looks impressive but takes almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sausage Red Pepper Pasta

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Pot of cooked farfalle pasta with broccoli and creamy sauce, featuring a wooden spoon handle on the left.
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo. Photo credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

Creamy, cheesy, and packed with broccoli, this Alfredo pasta makes dinner ridiculously simple. Everything cooks in one pot, so you get a rich, satisfying meal without juggling a sink full of dishes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Italian Meatball Soup

A bowl of tomato-based soup topped with shredded cheese and basil, containing visible chunks of vegetables and pasta, on a wooden surface.
Italian Meatball Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

A big bowl of this meatball soup is basically a hug in soup form. Juicy meatballs, a rich broth, and plenty of pasta make this a cozy one-pot meal that’s both filling and ridiculously easy to throw together.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup

One Pot Italian Sausage Farfalle Pasta

A plate of bowtie pasta mixed with peas, pieces of meat, and topped with grated cheese and herbs. A fork and spoon are placed on the plate's edge.
One Pot Italian Sausage Farfalle Pasta. Photo credit: Flavor the Moments.

A busy night calls for pasta that practically makes itself, and this one-pot Italian sausage dish delivers. Just seven ingredients, thirty minutes, and one pan—dinner doesn’t get easier than this.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Italian Sausage Farfalle Pasta

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

A black plate with seasoned pasta shells on a wooden table, beside a dish of mac and cheese wrapped in a beige cloth.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake. Photo credit: Masala Herb.

Love buffalo chicken? Love pasta? Then this creamy, spicy bake is basically calling your name. You can tweak the heat level, but either way, it’s an easy, one-pan meal that brings serious flavor to the table.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A pot of creamy soup with tortellini, spinach, carrots, and chicken pieces being stirred by a wooden spoon.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

This chicken tortellini soup takes leftover rotisserie chicken and turns it into something way more exciting. The cheesy tortellini, flavorful broth, and one-pot convenience make it a dinner win with almost zero effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Olive Oil Lemon Parsley Pasta

A bowl of fusilli pasta mixed with chopped parsley and grated cheese.
Olive Oil Lemon Parsley Pasta. Photo credit: Masala Herb.

Bright, fresh, and ready in no time, this lemon parsley pasta is proof that simple ingredients can still bring big flavor. It’s light enough for a quick weeknight meal but good enough to make you feel like you actually planned dinner.
Get the Recipe: Olive Oil Lemon Parsley Pasta

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