One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Veggie Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

A smooth and creamy tomato pasta cooked all in one pot, featuring a hidden blend of vegetables to please even the pickiest eaters. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, carrot, peeled and grated for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
• 1 medium zucchini, grated
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup, plus extra for serving grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 grated medium carrot, and 1 grated medium zucchini. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 14 oz can crushed tomatoes, 3 cups vegetable broth, 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 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid mostly absorbed.
3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves until sauce is creamy and coats the pasta.
4. Step 4: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.