One-Pan Cheesy Vegetable Pasta
A simple, one-pan pasta loaded with colorful vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters. This italian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 25 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup zucchini
- 1/2 cup yellow squash
- 1/2 cup carrots
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 8 oz penne pasta, and cook for 8 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add 1/2 cup diced zucchini, 1/2 cup diced yellow squash, and 1/2 cup diced carrots; cook for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly golden.
- Step 3: Add the drained penne to the skillet with the vegetables, then stir in 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup grated mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper; cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until cheese melts and sauce thickens to coat the pasta.
- Step 4: Add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed to reach a creamy consistency, then serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Cheesy Vegetable Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 One-Pan Cheesy Vegetable Pasta?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Cheesy Vegetable Pasta?
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 One-Pan Cheesy Vegetable Pasta 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.
What goes well with One-Pan Cheesy Vegetable Pasta?
Italian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
