One-Pan Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans
A weeknight-friendly pasta dish with whole wheat penne, creamy white beans, and a bright lemon-herb sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs whole wheat penne pasta, (15 oz), drained and rinsed white beans, vegetable broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed white beans
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 oz whole wheat penne pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In the same pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 garlic cloves (minced) and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) white beans (drained and rinsed), 2 cups vegetable broth, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add drained pasta and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until coated and sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped). Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan 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 One-Pan 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 whole wheat penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan 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 One-Pan 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.
What goes well with One-Pan Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans?
Mediterranean one pot 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
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
