Best Ever One-Pot Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans
A vibrant, protein-packed pasta dish with tender pasta, creamy white beans, and bright lemon-zest, all cooked in one pot. This mediterranean-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs pasta, cannellini beans, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 can cannellini beans
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 1 minute less than package instructions (about 7 minutes), then drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, mince 3 cloves garlic and zest 1 lemon. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in the same pot over medium heat, add garlic and lemon zest, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 can cannellini beans (drained and rinsed), 1 cup vegetable broth, 2 tsp fresh thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 4: Stir in drained pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, tossing until sauce thickens and coats pasta (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese until melted, then serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Ever One-Pot Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Ever One-Pot Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Ever One-Pot Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Ever One-Pot Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Best Ever One-Pot Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
