One-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Parmesan
A vibrant one-pot pasta dish combining tender vegetables and Parmesan cheese for a quick, satisfying meal. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, minced, red bell pepper, diced 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 12 oz dry penne pasta
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced red bell pepper and 1 diced zucchini to the pot and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 12 oz dry penne pasta, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally for 12-14 minutes until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves until cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Parmesan 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 Parmesan?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta with Parmesan?
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 Parmesan 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 Parmesan 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.
