Budget-Friendly One-Pot Pasta Primavera

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

A vibrant pasta dish featuring seasonal vegetables and pantry staples for a wallet-friendly weeknight dinner. This Mediterranean one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, and yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 420 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil; add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat; add 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion and cook for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 medium sliced zucchini, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/2 cup frozen peas; cook for 3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
5. Step 5: Add 1/2 cup vegetable broth and 1 tsp dried oregano; simmer for 2 minutes until liquid reduces slightly.
6. Step 6: Return drained spaghetti to the skillet with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper; toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats pasta and thickens.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted, and serve immediately.