One-Pot Budget-Friendly Pasta (Printable)

Comfortable and affordable one-pot pasta featuring fresh vegetables and Parmesan cheese.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried penne or fusilli

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices
07 - 3.5 oz baby spinach

→ Liquids

08 - 3 cups vegetable broth

→ Dairy and Seasonings

09 - 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
12 - ½ teaspoon chili flakes, optional
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
02 - Stir in diced zucchini and bell pepper; cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until slightly softened.
03 - Add uncooked pasta, canned tomatoes with their juice, and vegetable broth. Sprinkle in dried herbs, chili flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches al dente texture and most liquid is absorbed.
05 - Uncover pot, stir in baby spinach and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, topped with additional Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means minimal dishes staring at you from the sink later.
  • It costs almost nothing to make but tastes like you actually tried, perfect for stretching a tight grocery budget.
  • The pasta absorbs all the flavors as it cooks, so you get tender noodles swimming in a silky, tomato-forward sauce.
02 -
  • The liquid-to-pasta ratio is everything here, so measure both carefully rather than guessing—too little broth and you'll end up with crunchy pasta, too much and it becomes soup.
  • Stir the pot occasionally while it simmers rather than leaving it alone, because the bottom tends to stick slightly and a few gentle pushes with your spoon keeps everything moving evenly.
03 -
  • If you want to add protein, stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or crumbled sausage during those final minutes—it'll warm through without needing any extra cooking time.
  • Buy whole Parmesan and grate it yourself moments before serving, because the flavor difference between that and the pre-grated stuff is honestly shocking.
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