One Pot Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Looking for a quick and easy recipe that is also delicious? Try this one pot pasta with tomato sauce! This pasta dish requires only one pan, few basic ingredients and 20-30 minutes of cooking. This dish is loved by both adults and kids. This easy recipe can be made with any kind of pasta you have at home and you also can adjust and add any veggies that you like. If you exclude the parmesan from this version, it would be a great vegan pasta dish.
One Pot Pasta Recipe
We all love pasta recipes, especially me. I make pasta recipes quite often, but this one pot pasta recipe is a big hit in our family. This recipe was released this back in 2020 on my YouTube channel, and this video recipe went viral, gaining over a million views! I love this quick and easy one-pot pasta recipe for two main reasons: it’s actually delicious, and it’s one of the easiest pasta recipes ever, right alongside my famous one pot (3-ingredient) mac and cheese recipe. Plus, if you prefer a spicy kick, you should try my Pasta Arrabbiata Recipe.
This one pot tomato pasta is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something comforting but don’t want to spend hours cooking. With simple ingredients like tomato sauce, pasta, and seasonings, this recipe combines everything in one pot for an easy and mess-free meal. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal prepping for the week, this pasta with tomato sauce is sure to become a favorite. Best of all, it’s versatile—add your favorite veggies or make it vegan by skipping the parmesan.
Ingredients for One Pot Tomato Pasta
Olive oil: Serves as the base for sautéing, adding richness and helping to cook the onions and garlic evenly.
Onion: Chopped onions give a sweet, savory flavor that forms the foundation of the sauce, enhancing the dish’s overall depth.
Garlic: Garlic brings bold, aromatic flavors to the dish, giving the sauce that signature Italian flair.
Tomato sauce: The main ingredient of the sauce, provides tanginess and richness, creating a comforting, classic tomato base.
Tomato paste: intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce, adding a deep, rich texture and taste.
Salt: Essential for enhancing and balancing all the flavors in the dish, making sure every ingredient stands out.
Pepper: A pinch of black pepper gives a mild spiciness that complements the acidity of the tomatoes.
Oregano: This dried herb adds an earthy, aromatic touch, bringing an Italian essence to the sauce.
Basil: Fresh or dried basil adds a fresh, sweet, and fragrant layer to the sauce, balancing out the acidity of the tomatoes.
Water or Vegetable stock: This liquid helps cook the pasta while infusing it with flavor. Vegetable stock adds more depth than water, enriching the dish further.
Pasta of your choice: Any pasta variety works (I used penne pasta), as it absorbs the sauce while cooking, making the pasta flavorful throughout. Penne or spaghetti are great choices.
Parmesan cheese (optional): Grated on top just before serving, parmesan adds a salty, nutty finish, elevating the flavors of the dish.
This one-pot tomato pasta recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a quick and easy one-pot pasta meal. The pasta cooked-in sauce technique ensures a flavorful, cohesive dish, whether you’re making it with penne pasta in tomato sauce or another favorite.
How to Cook Pasta in Tomato Sauce
- Sauté the aromatics: Start by heating olive oil in a large pot. Sauté chopped onions until they turn soft and golden, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute to release its flavor.
- Prepare the tomato sauce: Add tomato paste to the pot and cook for a minute to enhance its flavor. Then, stir in the tomato sauce (store-bought or homemade), season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil, and bring it to a simmer.
- Cook the pasta: Add your uncooked pasta directly into the sauce along with water or vegetable stock. Bring it to a boil, cover the pot, and let it simmer. Stir occasionally to make sure the pasta cooks evenly and absorbs the flavors of the sauce.
- Serve: Once the pasta is al dente, transfer it to a plate, top it with freshly grated parmesan, and enjoy your one pot pasta!
Yep, that’s it! Even your kid can make it.
Can You Cook Pasta in Tomato Sauce?
Yes, you can cook pasta directly in tomato sauce! This method not only simplifies the cooking process by using just one pot, but it also allows the pasta to absorb all the rich flavors from the sauce as it cooks. By adding enough water or vegetable stock to the tomato sauce, the pasta will cook evenly without needing to be boiled separately.
This technique is perfect for busy weeknights when you want to make a quick and easy one pot pasta recipe. It also eliminates extra dishes, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, the pasta becomes infused with tomato sauce, creating a delicious and cohesive dish. Just make sure to stir the pasta occasionally and adjust the liquid as needed to achieve the perfect texture!
Substitutes and Variations
This one pot tomato pasta recipe is versatile, making it easy to customize with different ingredients and flavors. If you’re looking to switch things up, here are some great substitutes and variations to try.
- For a vegan one pot pasta: Simply skip the parmesan cheese or replace it with a plant-based alternative. You can also add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. If you want to make the dish gluten-free, substitute the regular pasta with gluten-free pasta. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time based on the type of pasta you’re using.
- For extra protein: you can add cooked chickpeas, lentils, or even some sautéed ground tofu to the sauce. If you prefer more vegetables, throw in spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for added texture and flavor.
- Looking for more heat? You can spice up the recipe by adding chili flakes or using arrabbiata sauce instead of regular tomato sauce, turning this dish into a spicy tomato pasta.
This easy pasta recipe can be customized to suit your taste, making it the perfect go-to for a quick and satisfying meal!
More Pasta Recipes
If you like easy pasta recipes, you probably will love these pasta dishes. Some of them are classic italain pasta recipes and some of them are modern variations:
- Pesto Pasta
- Cacio e Pepe
- Easy One-Pot (3-Ingredient) Mac and Cheese
- Rose Pasta Recipe | Pink Sauce Pasta
- Creamy Lemon Pasta Recipe
One Pot Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) Olive oil
- 1 Onion chopped
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 1 can (400 g) Tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) Tomato paste
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- Basil
- 1½ cups (360 ml) Water or vegetable stock or vegetable stock
- 8 oz (225 g) Pasta of your choice
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- In pot heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, water and stir.
- Add pasta, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 14-18 minutes, depending on the pasta type. Add more water if needed.
- Transfer to a plate and grate some parmesan cheese on top.
Video
Notes
- Watch the Video: For a better understanding of the recipe, I always recommend watching the video recipe, which includes a step-by-step guide to help you succeed.
- FAQs: Make sure you read the FAQs for this recipe which are located below the recipe box for additional tips and troubleshooting! For extra tips and variations read the article.
- Leftovers: Storing leftover one pot pasta with tomato sauce is simple and helps you enjoy the dish later without losing its delicious flavor. Here’s how you can store it properly:
- Refrigerator: Allow the pasta to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, you can add a splash of water or vegetable stock to loosen up the sauce and restore its texture.
- Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the leftovers. Once cooled, place the pasta in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw the pasta overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stove, adding a bit of liquid to refresh the sauce.
Nutrition
Common Questions
Yes, you can cook pasta directly in tomato sauce! This method allows the pasta to absorb all the rich flavors from the sauce, resulting in a flavorful dish. Just be sure to add enough liquid, such as water or vegetable stock, to ensure the pasta cooks evenly.
Yes! To make a vegan pasta version of this recipe, simply omit the parmesan cheese or replace it with a plant-based alternative. You can also add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy.
Leftover one pot pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat with a little water or stock to refresh the sauce.
Short pastas like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni work well for this recipe, as they hold the sauce beautifully. However, you can use any pasta you prefer, adjusting the cooking time based on the type.
Tried this and it came out beautifully! Thank you for such an easy recipe!
Glad you liked it. Hope you will try more recipes 🙂
This looks really good, can you freeze this dish?
Yes, you can. Please read recipe notes.
Can I leave out the garlic I hate it
Sure, you can.
Wow! I just finished eating it with my mom and sister. 😋💯👍 So good. The cooking part was super easy. Pretty straight forward. I can’t thank you enough for this beautiful recipe. I used 1 minced dried bay (laurel) leaf instead of basil and oregano. I didn’t have any of those. I added 1 chicken cube and 1/2 cup evaporated milk at the start of the addition of liquid, btw.
Sounds like a good addition! glad you liked it 🙂