The Easiest Creamy One Pot Pasta Recipe
A rich, velvety parmesan pasta made entirely in one pot with minimal prep. Just toss everything in, let it cook, and stir in cream and cheese for a comforting dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta uncooked: or any short pasta
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth plus extra if needed
- 1 cup fresh spinach packed; or thawed frozen spinach
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp sea salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream added after boiling
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated; added after boiling
- tbsp fresh basil chopped; for garnish
Instructions
- Load the pot — Add the pasta, broth, diced tomatoes (with juices), garlic, spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to a large pot. Stir to combine. Do not add cream or parmesan yet.2. Boil — Place the pot over medium heat and bring to a steady boil. Cook for 13–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is just shy of al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.3. Add cream and cheese — Reduce heat to low. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan until the sauce is smooth and creamy.4. Simmer and thicken — Allow the pasta to simmer on low for 2–3 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.5. Garnish and serve — Top with freshly chopped basil and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Liquid level: If the broth reduces too quickly before the pasta is done, add an extra ½ cup of broth to prevent sticking or burning.
- Boil intensity: Keep the heat at a moderate, gentle boil rather than a rapid rolling boil. Stir regularly.
- Cheese tip: Always grate parmesan fresh — pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Add a splash of cream when reheating to restore the saucy texture.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, slightly undercook the pasta if you plan to freeze it right away.
- Variations: Add browned Italian sausage, shredded rotisserie chicken, or sautéed mushrooms and red peppers to bulk it up. Swap or blend cheeses — Romano and Asiago work beautifully alongside Parmesan.