After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is a kitchen piled with dirty dishes.
One-pan pasta recipes swoop in to save dinnertime with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. These simple meals combine raw pasta, fresh ingredients, and savory liquids in a single skillet.
1. Classic Tomato Basil Linguine
Throw linguine, cherry tomatoes, and sliced garlic into a large skillet. Add basil leaves, olive oil, and enough water to barely cover the pasta.
As it bubbles away, the starch from the pasta creates a silky sauce that clings to every strand. Ready in just 9 minutes—faster than traditional boiling methods!
2. Creamy Mushroom Fettuccine
Mushroom lovers, rejoice! Sauté sliced cremini and shiitake mushrooms until golden before adding fettuccine, broth, and a splash of cream.
The earthy fungi release their flavor into every bite while the liquid reduces to a velvety sauce. Finish with Parmesan and black pepper.
3. Spicy Cajun Sausage Penne
Kick dinnertime up a notch! Brown sliced andouille sausage, then toss in penne, diced bell peppers, and onions with Cajun seasoning.
Pour chicken broth over everything and let the pasta absorb those smoky, spicy flavors. The starch creates a naturally thick sauce.
4. Mediterranean Orzo With Shrimp
Weeknight luxury happens in 15 minutes! Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes before adding orzo, shrimp, and cherry tomatoes to the pan.
The tiny rice-shaped pasta cooks quickly while absorbing lemon-infused broth. Finish with crumbled feta, olives, and fresh dill for a Greek-inspired dish.
5. Lemon Garlic Chicken Bowties
Magic happens when farfalle pasta cooks alongside diced chicken breast in a garlicky broth. The pasta absorbs the lemony chicken flavors while releasing starch to create a silky sauce.
Toss in fresh spinach during the final minute—it wilts perfectly without extra effort. Satisfying meal that feels fancy but isn’t.
6. Smoky Bacon Mac And Cheese
Forget the blue box! Crisp bacon pieces in a large skillet, then add elbow macaroni, milk, water, and shredded cheddar. The pasta cooks directly in the creamy mixture, absorbing all that smoky bacon goodness.
No separate pot for boiling, no colander needed! The result? Impossibly creamy mac with crispy bacon bits throughout.
7. Tuscan White Bean Spaghetti
Pantry dinner perfection! Combine spaghetti, canned white beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic in a wide pan. Add vegetable broth and a splash of cream, then let everything simmer together.
The beans break down slightly, creating a protein-rich sauce that coats each strand. You can add some spinach and Italian herbs.
8. Thai-Inspired Peanut Noodles
Fusion magic in 20 minutes! Combine linguine, sliced bell peppers, and shredded carrots in a large skillet with vegetable broth and coconut milk.
As the pasta cooks, stir in a mixture of peanut butter, soy sauce, and lime juice. The sauce thickens naturally, coating every noodle with sweet-savory-tangy goodness.
9. Cheesy Taco Rotini
Taco Tuesday meets pasta night! Brown ground beef with onions and taco seasoning before adding rotini, canned tomatoes, and beef broth to the same pan.
The spiral pasta catches all the spicy meat sauce in its twists. Top it with melted cheddar and crushed tortilla chips.
10. Garlicky Shrimp Scampi Linguine
Restaurant-worthy in 15 minutes! Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in butter before adding linguine, shrimp, and enough broth to barely cover the pasta.
The linguine releases starch as it cooks, creating a silky sauce that clings to the plump shrimp.
11. Spinach Artichoke Tortellini
Forget the dip—make it dinner! Combine refrigerated cheese tortellini, canned artichoke hearts, and frozen spinach in a skillet with chicken broth and cream cheese.
The filled pasta cooks while the cream cheese melts into a velvety sauce. Ready in 12 minutes with zero draining required!
12. Pesto Chicken Orecchiette
Those little ear-shaped pasta pockets are perfect for catching sauce! Cook orecchiette directly in chicken broth with diced chicken breast and cherry tomatoes.
Once the pasta is tender, stir in prepared pesto and a handful of mozzarella pearls. The residual heat melts the cheese into stretchy pockets while the pesto coats every bite with herby goodness.
13. Broccoli Cheddar Shells
Kid-friendly but sophisticated enough for adults! Medium pasta shells cook directly in milk and chicken broth, creating a naturally creamy base without flour or butter.
Add broccoli florets during the last few minutes—they steam perfectly while the pasta finishes. Stir in sharp cheddar cheese until melted.
14. Caprese Gnocchi Skillet
Who knew store-bought gnocchi could be this easy? Skip boiling and throw those potato pillows directly into a hot skillet with olive oil until they’re golden and crispy outside, fluffy inside.
Add halved cherry tomatoes and garlic for a quick simmer. Italian-inspired meal that comes together in just 15 minutes!
15. Sausage And Kale Orecchiette
Rustic Italian flavors shine when orecchiette pasta cooks alongside crumbled Italian sausage and sliced garlic. The meat renders its fat, creating a flavorful base for the pasta to absorb.
Toss in torn kale leaves during the final minutes—they wilt perfectly while maintaining some texture. A shower of Pecorino Romano adds the perfect salty finish.
16. Lemon Asparagus Risoni
Risotto vibes without the constant stirring! Orzo (also called risoni) cooks directly in chicken broth, releasing starch that creates that signature creamy texture risotto lovers crave.
Add sliced asparagus for the last few minutes of cooking.
17. Buffalo Chicken Rotini
Game day flavors meet weeknight convenience! Sauté diced chicken with onions and garlic before adding rotini, chicken broth, and buffalo sauce to the skillet.
The spiral pasta absorbs all that spicy, tangy goodness as it cooks. This crowd-pleaser comes together in 20 minutes with minimal cleanup!
18. Balsamic Glazed Ravioli
Store-bought ravioli becomes gourmet with this no-boil method! Brown refrigerated cheese ravioli in olive oil until golden, then add halved cherry tomatoes, garlic, and spinach.
Pour in vegetable broth and balsamic vinegar, letting the pasta cook while the liquid reduces to a sticky glaze. Best part? Ready in 12 minutes!
19. Ratatouille Penne
Summer vegetables shine in this French-inspired pasta! Sauté diced eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions until caramelized, then add penne, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
The pasta cooks directly in the vegetable mixture, absorbing all those Mediterranean flavors.