Make getting dinner onto the table easier with these one pan pasta recipes. Each uses only one pan to ensure you need to wash as few dishes as possible—and is a super yummy meal to share with the kids!
Whether your family prefers tomato-based pasta dishes, spaghetti, plain mixtures or more complex ones, these one pan pasta recipes have you covered for easy weeknight family dinners. These recipes are so easy that most of them simply require putting everything into a pan, simmering it away, and giving it a stir or two.
Below you’ll find one-pot pasta recipes that include chicken broth, red peppers, spinach, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and more fresh ingredients. Each of these is a great family meal, or you can make the recipe and serve up the leftovers as you like throughout the week.
Top each easy one-pot pasta meal with Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, crushed red pepper flakes (for adults!), or even a splash of heavy cream.
(You may also like Vegetable Sauces for Pasta, Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce, Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese, and easy Toddler Dinners.)
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One-Pot Taco Pasta
The pasta is so creamy and yummy, and it’s also rich in iron and protein as an added bonus. Plus, you can add any taco toppings that your family likes, to make the meal even more fun as an easy toddler dinner. I usually make it with a base of ground beef, but you can use ground turkey, too.
Made in one skillet and ready in under 30 minutes, this One-Pot Taco Pasta is an easy family dinner win. It has the comfort and flavors of both pasta and tacos, and it’s super versatile so you can tailor it to the preferences of your own family.
One-Pot Taco Pasta
Cheeseburger Pasta
It’s made with accessible ingredients you can easily find at the store, has a veggie right in the mix, and boasts the creamiest texture. It’s one of our favorite stovetop recipes.
This one-pot Cheeseburger Pasta is nutritious, delicious, and so easy to make. It’s a 30-minute way to make quick work of dinner!
Cheeseburger Pasta
Homemade Hamburger Helper
One pan and under 30 minutes? Yes! This homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a fast dinner option that’s satisfying, comforting, and so darn delicious.
This one-pot homemade Hamburger Helper is nutritious, delicious, and so easy to make. It’s a 30-minute way to make quick work of dinner!
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Quick Pasta with Peas
This pasta is rich in vegetarian protein, it’s very fast, and it’s easy for little kids to eat—and for grownups to enjoy, too.
With just a few ingredients, you can make a satisfying vegetarian meal to share with the kids. This Pasta with Peas is fast, simple, and so yummy
Quick Pasta with Peas
Pasta with Yogurt Sauce
Having another easy option for creamy linguine (or other noodles) is always a good thing, and this recipe is so easy and satisfying. It’s a little garlicky, a little salty, and a little tangy. Add some walnuts or even cooked ground Italian sausage on top as a flavorful garnish.
Think of this like a bright, fresh, and easy version of an Alfredo sauce. Greek yogurt is the star here, and combined with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, it’s a delicious pasta recipe to share with the kids.
Pasta with Yogurt Sauce
Easy Pastina Pasta
This recipe, along with buttered noodles, is what I think of when I think “toddler pasta” because it’s cozy, quick, and easy for the kids to eat. And the simple ingredients (and cheese) are often a hit with little ones.
Cozy, fast, and satisfying, this Pastina is a favorite Italian-American staple. It’s perfect for feeding a cold or illness or as a fast comfort food. Serve it plain or add in some peas, up to you.
Easy Pastina Pasta
Quick Pastina Soup
I love how fast this soup for kids cooks up, how easy it is to adjust (sometimes I omit the onion and use more carrot, for example), and how much it helps us all feel satisfied and nourished. Note: When warming up leftovers, add more liquid as desired.
With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can make this cozy Pastina Soup to share with the kids in under 30 minutes. Look for little star “pastina” pasta in the pasta aisle.
Quick Pastina Soup
Favorite Alphabet Soup
Cook up this cozy Alphabet Soup recipe the next time you want an easy meal that’s also fun! ABC pasta is a perfect addition to this kid-friendly soup—and you can tailor the veggies to the likes (or dislikes!) of your own kiddos. It’s so versatile!
You can use ABC pasta, orzo, pastina, or ditalini—or any other very small pasta shape in this Alphabet Soup recipe. And you can start with fresh or frozen veggies. See below for options.
Favorite Alphabet Soup
Quick Orzo Soup
This soup is super versatile in that you can season it with Italian or Greek flavors. You can also change up the vegetables according to what you have, use chicken or Vegetable Broth, and serve it with more or less liquid according to what’s easiest for your kids.
With a quick cooking time, a veggie-loaded base, and most comforting flavor, this easy Orzo Soup is an all-time favorite family meal. It’s soothing when illness strikes and just makes for a fast and yummy meal when you need it.
Quick Orzo Soup
Orzotto with Peas
“Orzotto” is a risotto-like dish made with orzo instead of rice. It cooks more quickly, yet has similar texture and creamy flavor as rice-based risotto. And it’s oh-so-yummy! (Add some fresh basil leaves on top if you’d like.)
With the creamy texture of risotto but a much faster cook time and an easier method, this Orzotto with peas is a favorite quick family dinner.
Orzotto with Peas
Easy Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
This Mac and Cheese comes together in less than 15 minutes, is incredibly creamy, and tastes so darn good. Plus, it has a veggie right in the mix! Use gluten-free pasta if you prefer.
Friends, meet my new favorite lightning fast dish. This Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese requires just 5 simple ingredients, zero prep work, and is just the yummiest pasta recipe!
Easy Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
Tortellini in Broth
You need only a few ingredients to make this soup recipe for kids, and you can use a few different options for the broth. From there, it’s easy to add flavor for kids who like that or to enhance your own serving.
With just a few ingredients and the easiest method, you can make the most comforting Tortellini in Broth. It’s one of the easiest soups ever, ready in just 15 minutes.
Tortellini in Broth
Frequently Asked Questions
As soon as the pasta is tender, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the heat. The pasta will continue to cook since the mixture will be hot, but taking those two steps will help slow the cooking down.
Simmer over medium or medium low heat so you don’t boil the mixture too vigorously. Remove the pan or pot from the heat when the pasta is tender to help slow down and stop the cooking process. Taste it and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
A large straight-sided skillet is large enough to hold these recipes and also has tall enough sides to reduce the chances of the mixture boiling over.
How to Store
Let any one pot pasta recipe cool as much as possible and transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Usually you can also store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
See each individual recipe for more information and specifics.