One-Pot Creamy Tomato and White Bean Pasta
A comforting, creamy pasta dish made in one pot with cannellini beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil for a protein-rich weeknight meal. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, chicken broth, chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed cannellini beans
- 1/2 cup, chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant, then add sun-dried tomatoes and dried basil, cooking for 2 more minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in drained cannellini beans, 2 cups chicken broth, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, then stir in 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta, adding more pasta water if needed.
- Step 5: Season with salt, black pepper, and stir in fresh basil before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato and White Bean Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Creamy Tomato and White Bean 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-Pot Creamy Tomato and White Bean 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-Pot Creamy Tomato and White Bean 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.
Is One-Pot Creamy Tomato and White Bean Pasta 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
