Creamy One-Pot Pasta That’s Ready in 20 Minutes!

Table of Contents

One-Pot Pasta might sound like a fairy tale when you’re tired, hungry, and the kitchen feels more like a battleground than your friend. But, let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. Work runs late, your stomach’s growlin’, and the thought of cleaning ten pans? Not happening. So here’s my favorite sanity-saver: super creamy one-pot pasta you can whip up fast. Like, genuinely ready in about 20 minutes. You basically throw everything in a big pot (yes, even the dry pasta), stir a bit, and boom. Dinner. No magic cooking school required.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

Here’s one of my favorite things about creamy one-pot pasta: it absolutely tricks people. It looks like something from a five-star restaurant but takes less sweat than a sandwich. The cleanup? Laughable. And it’s friendly for picky eaters (or, honestly, people with the palate of a toddler at heart).

Plus, if you wanna impress your friends, family, or surprise visitors—this is your secret weapon. I’ve pulled it together with old veggies from my crisper drawer, and nobody suspects a thing. Also, we all know pasta gets better after it sits a second (hello, thick sauce). Whether you’re new to cooking or just hate the mess, you’ll find a place for this in your weekly lineup.

I’ll bet you a homemade cookie you’ll have questions about it, but trust me, faux-culinary confidence is all you need to win people over.

“I tried this creamy one-pot pasta after a rough day and, wow, it was a lifesaver. Even my picky kid asked for seconds! Thanks for the game-changer.” — Samantha R.

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Pasta (short shapes)	12 ounces	Penne and shells work best
Chicken or veggie broth	2½ to 3 cups	Adjust according to pasta
Cream	1 cup	Full-fat for best results
Garlic	2 cloves, minced	More if you love garlic
Olive oil or butter	1 tablespoon	For sautéing garlic
Grated parmesan	1 cup	Go for extra!
Vegetables (optional)	1 handful	Spinach, peas, or choices
Salt and pepper	To taste	Add chili flakes for a kick

Ingredients Needed For One-Pot Pasta

Ready for this? You don’t need to raid a specialty store. Here’s the lineup for my basic creamy one-pot pasta:

• 12 ounces of your favorite pasta (short shapes like penne or shells work best)
• 2½ to 3 cups chicken or veggie broth (more if needed)
• 1 cup cream (full-fat for best flavor, but half-and-half works just fine)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or more—garlic is life)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 cup grated parmesan (I go for extra, what can I say)
• A handful of spinach, peas, or whatever veg you want tossed in (optional, but so good)
• Salt and pepper, plus a pinch of chili flakes if you like a little kick

If you’re feeling wild, bacon bits, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even leftover shrimp slide right in here, too.

How to Make This One-Pot Pasta Recipe

Here’s where things get beautifully simple.

Plop your pot on the stove, pour in the olive oil (or butter), and sauté the garlic for a quick 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. Don’t wander off—garlic burns faster than my patience on Mondays.

Now, in goes the pasta, broth, and cream all at once. Yup, dry pasta. Stir it a couple of times, then bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat just a smidge (medium-low treats it right). Let it simmer with the lid off, stirring every couple minutes so nothing sticks, about 11-13 minutes—until the pasta is just tender and that sauce thickens.

Toss in parmesan and any spinach or peas right when the pasta’s about done. Stir stir stir. Give it a taste (I always sneak a little), add salt, pepper, maybe more cheese if you’re a rebel. Done!

Looking for more quick dinners you can pull off with a single pan? My garlic butter chicken bites with savory creamy parmesan pasta is also a reader favorite.

Customize This One-Pot Pasta Recipe

You know what’s the best part about creamy one-pot pasta? You can change it up every time and nobody gets bored. Add a handful of frozen peas or swap in broccoli if you’ve got some.

Chopped cooked chicken from last night? Toss it in. Vegetarian? Skip the meat—more veggies or just lots of cheese still feels decadent. If you like things spicy, try a dash of hot sauce. Got only cheddar? Use that instead of parmesan. Even mixing in a scoop of ricotta has worked (I’m not judging pasta purists).

In fact, I once tossed in corn and cooked bacon and it was dangerously good. That reminds me, my creamy chicken and corn pasta with bacon is another fun twist if you’re looking for new ideas.

Play with flavors and ingredients. It’s pretty hard to mess up, honestly.

Expert Tips

Want pasta that feels like it came from a cozy Italian kitchen, but cooked in, well, your kitchen? First, don’t overthink it. Just keep an eye on the pot and give it a stir every now and then, especially near the end so the creamy sauce doesn’t stick.

If it seems too thick? Splash in a bit more broth or cream. Too thin for your taste? Let it simmer one more minute. Leftovers? Add a quick spoon of water before reheating. It’ll be just as creamy and dreamy tomorrow.

I highly recommend using short pasta shapes here. It cooks evenly and soaks up all that flavor. If you love cheesy, go wild with the parmesan—you’ll never regret it.

Getting tired of the same flavors? Try my easy cheesy shrimp scampi pasta bake for a totally different taste. And if you’re craving something summery, don’t miss my mexican street corn pasta salad—different direction, same pasta love.

Oh, and don’t skip the garlic. Ever.

• Serve it with a crisp green salad and some garlic bread for a full meal.
• Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat with a splash of cream or broth.
• Add extra cheese on top before serving because, well, cheese is always the move.
• Freeze leftovers only if you absolutely must—texture can get weird, but some days, you do what you gotta do.

Common Questions

Can I make creamy one-pot pasta with gluten-free noodles?
Absolutely, but keep an eye on them—they sometimes cook a little quicker and get mushy fast.

What type of cream should I use?
Go for heavy cream if you want it super rich, but half-and-half or even evaporated milk works okay.

Can you add protein to this recipe?
Yes! Rotisserie chicken, cooked sausage, or even canned tuna will sneak right in.

Will it taste okay with no parmesan?
You might miss some flavor, but you can sub with pecorino or even a mix of your favorite melty cheeses.

Is it really okay to cook pasta in one pot with no separate draining?
I promise, you’ll be amazed. The starch thickens the sauce so everything ends up creamy and satisfying.

Why Dinner Has Never Been Easier (Promise)

Honestly, creamy one-pot pasta pretty much changed my weeknight game. There are nights when you want something magical but you’re also just done. This is that “I’m too tired but still too hungry” fix. Once you get the hang of it, you can riff on this endlessly, just like in the greenest one-pot pasta from Green Kitchen Stories, or explore other speedy versions like the 3-ingredient one pot pasta from Kim’s Cravings. If you’re craving extra variations, The Easiest Creamy One Pot Pasta Recipe at Lemons & Zest and the step-by-step guide for an easy one pan pasta over at Martha Stewart and Feel Good Foodie will give you even more reason to skip takeout.

You already know you want to try it. Why not tonight? Your future self (with zero dishes to wash) will thank you.