I'm totally a sucker for one-pot meals. I mean, fewer dishes? Less fuss and muss (whatever "muss" is)? I'm in. So when I saw one-pot pasta floating around Pinterest awhile back, I was intrigued. I made Martha Stewart's version pretty much immediately, and I loved it. And, because I'm a food blogger and this is what I do, I tweaked and fiddled. This One-Pot Pasta Primavera is one of my favorite outcomes so far.
I love the concept of one-pot pasta. Essentially, you put all the ingredients into the pot, including the uncooked pasta and water (or broth). And then you cook, tossing constantly, for several minutes, until most of the liquid has cooked off and the pasta and accompanying veggies are tender, perfect, and saucy.
This One-Pot Pasta Primavera is perfect for spring. With tender asparagus tips, broccoli florets, and a smattering of peas, it's got lots of green to go around. Onions, mushrooms, garlic, and parsley add a little more oomph and flavor. True to classic Pasta Primavera form, we make it a tad creamy by ending with a bit of cream (just a splash!) and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
A few tips for one-pot pasta success:
- Use a heavy, roomy pot. There will be lots of stirring and tossing.
- If you have them, use long-handled tongs. Short handles keep you a little too close to the heat. Ouch!
- Select a dried pasta that has a cooking time of between 9-11 minutes. Otherwise, you may end up with under-cooked pasta, or worse, mushy mush.
- Once it starts boiling, be sure to toss and stir constantly! Otherwise the pasta will start sticking, and clean-up might make you sad.
This post was originally published on March 17, 2014.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 8 ounces linguine uncooked
- 1 small onion halved and sliced thin
- 1 pound broccoli crowns cut into large florets (about 2 cups)
- 1 ½ pounds asparagus ends snapped off and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 4 ounces sliced white button mushrooms about 1 cup
- 4 large cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes less for milder heat; more to increase heat
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- 1 small handful fresh parsley chopped (about ½ cup chopped)
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
- Additional Parmesan cheese for serving if desired
Instructions
- Add the broth, linguine, onion, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to a large pot set over high heat. Drizzle the olive oil over the top.
- As soon as it comes to a boil, set the timer for 7 minutes and start tossing constantly with long-handled tongs.
- Continue boiling and tossing. As soon as the 7 minutes is up, add the peas, parsley, heavy whipping cream, Parmesan, and lemon zest and continue cooking, tossing constantly, for 1-2 more minutes, until the pasta and veggies appear tender. Remove from heat.
- Note that much of the liquid will have evaporated, but not all. And that's okay! Let the pasta sit for a couple of minutes to cool; the sauce will continue to thicken during that time. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
I haven't tried this one pot method yet, but I'm so intrigued!
Kare Troughton says
I *so* love it! It is really kind of a revelation. 🙂
Meg van der Kruik says
YUM!!! I have been wanting to try a gluten free version of one pot pasta and I think you may have just given me the kick of inspiration that I needed.
Kare Troughton says
Ooh, very curious to hear how gluten-free pasta fares using this method!
Skye says
I adore one pot dishes. I suffer from a severe case of washing up phobia, so they suit me down to a 't'. And I love the flavours in this pasta.
Kare Troughton says
It's definitely nice to have fewer dishes! Though I must warn you - depending on the recipe, one-pot pasta can result in one gnarly pan to scrub. But at least it's only one! 🙂
dishing up the dirt says
I love one pot dishes and this pasta sounds absolutely wonderful. Cheers to less dishes at the end of the evening!
Kare Troughton says
Hear hear! 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Tweaking and fiddling are what we do best. This recipe looks amazing. I'm all about fewer dishes.
Kare Troughton says
I just can't not tweak and fiddle! 🙂 Thanks Jennie!
Hannah@TalesFromTheLastFrontier says
Love one pot meals! I was actually hunting around for a good recipe for tonight and I think I'll try this one out. Looks waaaay too yummy 🙂
Kare Troughton says
Yay, I hope you loved it! 🙂
EA-The Spicy RD says
Love all the green veggies in here-looks so delicious! I tried making a one pot pasta dish before and my noodle {gluten-free} got a little sticky, but it still tasted good. Can't wait to make this, and my hubby will be so happy he only has one pot to clean up 🙂
Kare Troughton says
That's one common complaint with this method - gluten-free or not! The pasta does end up a tad stickier than it would otherwise, but not too bad. My hubby enjoyed that aspect of this recipe, too! 🙂
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
This is such a good idea! I've yet to try these one pot pastas I keep seeing, but this one has definitely convinced me. Plus I'm totally in love with all those veg!
Kare Troughton says
One you start, it's kind of addicting! Be warned! 😉
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Love this pasta for spring!
Kare Troughton says
Thanks, Laura. 🙂
Maria Tadic says
I've never seen a one pot pasta recipe like this! It looks sooooo good. I love all those fresh spring veggies! Do the veggies get really soft or do they stay tender and crisp? This is just such a genius idea! Can't wait to try this!
Kare Troughton says
Hi Maria, they actually stay pretty crisp! The asparagus is perfect, the broccoli does get cooked through possibly a little more than some might like. But you can also add it a little later on if you like instead, easy peasy! 🙂
Cassie says
I've never made a one-pot meal, mostly because they are pasta-based (gluten sensitivity over here) but I found brown rice & quinoa pasta at TJs and this is full of veggies so I have to add it to my list! I'm excited!
Kare Troughton says
I'm really curious to hear how it turns out with gluten-free pasta!
Jamie says
Yummy! That sounds so delicious! I also love the idea of a one-pot meal because I hate washing dishes. The fewer dishes, the better!!
Kare Troughton says
I'm with you! 😀
Joanne says
I've loved all the variations on one-pot pasta I've seen around the internet since Martha's version came out! The primavera take on this is so perfect for spring!
Kare Troughton says
I know, right? So many great ideas. Love it.
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
I {love} one-pot meals! Quick prep, quick cleanup! This pasta primavera looks absolutely delish - sooo perfect for spring!! Loving all those gorgeous veggies!!
Kare Troughton says
Seriously, I was blown away by how fast this comes together! Win-win. 🙂 Thanks Gretchen!
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
This looks delicious, and even better that it only needs one pot! I love pasta when it's jam-packed with greens so I'll have to keep this in mind for when Spring rolls around again!
Kare Troughton says
I definitely loaded up on the veggies to try to reduce the guilt factor. 😉
Emma says
Love the simplicity, and all the green! Looks fantastic, thanks for posting!
Kare Troughton says
Thanks Emma! 🙂
Holly says
Really? One pot pasta-- love this idea!!! Ingredients are now added to my shopping list for today. I am looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
Kare says
Thanks for trying it! 🙂 I hope you loved it.
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
So perfect for spring! Love that it's one pot too 🙂
Kare says
I totally have spring fever, so that's what I was going for! 🙂
Judy P says
One Pots? I do a lot of what I call "skillet dinners". Cooking for one is not usually fun or easy, so I do these quick and easy skillet dinners and there is always enough left over for another meal or two. Some times they're healthy, sometimes it's something I have been craving. I'm not vegan so mine do have meat in them. I usually use some canned chicken or if I'm feeling cravings, I use Kielbasa (smoked sausages) I just dump what ever I have handy, whether it is fresh spinach, cabbage, carrots, hominy, onions, green beans, sugar peas, bell peppers, or sometimes even all of it. Cover and let steam until veggies are tender. I rarely add pasta because I am trying to lose weight, but if I do it is whole wheat linguini. Season with some garlic powder and pepper and just a smidge of salt and maybe a little cumin or cayenne pepper. Very good!!
Kare says
That sounds like the perfect way to get dinner on the table!
Rebecca says
ooo looks deelish! Plus I'm into the no muss deal. I must giev it a go!
Kare says
Seriously though, what does "muss" mean?! I just know we definitely don't want it. 😉 Thanks Rebecca!
lisacng @ expandng.com says
"And the cleanup might make you sad" -- LOL. I love a good one-pot meal. Gonna have to try this. I just know my 1st time making it I'll end up with mushy pasta. Oh well, live and learn.
Kare says
Just err on the side of under-done and you should be good to go! 🙂
Yasmeen | Wandering Spice says
I have to admit I've been skeptical of the one-pot pasta thing: is it possible to develop real flavor in just the time it takes to boil pasta? I'm not sure about some of the tomato or meat sauces out there. But, your primavera, with quick-cooking vegetables, might just be the thing that turns me around.
Becky Brown says
Oh my goodness !! This recipe is soooo easy and super delish 🙂 I will make this one very often !!
I added a little more red pepper flakes and it is perfect for my family 🙂 THANKS !!!
Kare says
I'm so happy you liked it! We're big heat fans here, too, so I'm totally on board with more red pepper flakes!
Allison says
Made this tonight for my parents and I and it was super simple and delicious, everyone loved it. We added more red pepper flakes though because we're big into spicy!
Tricia Nightowlmama says
I love everything about this tasty dish I'd love to make it
Kare Troughton says
Thanks, Tricia!