One-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Garlic and Basil
A vibrant, kid-friendly pasta dish bursting with colorful vegetables and fresh basil, cooked all in one pot for easy cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced zucchini
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced yellow bell pepper, and 1 diced zucchini to the pot. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth, then add 12 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and broth is mostly absorbed.
- Step 4: Remove pot from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until the cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Garlic and Basil 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-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Garlic and Basil?
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-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Garlic and Basil?
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-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Garlic and Basil 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 One-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Garlic and Basil 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.
