One-Pot Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans
A vibrant pasta dish featuring al dente pasta tossed with a lemony herb sauce and creamy white beans. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 spaghetti
- 1 can (15 oz), rinsed and drained cannellini beans
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp, leaves fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup, reserved pasta water
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes, then add 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans and cook for 1 more minute until pasta is al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant and garlic is golden.
- Step 3: Add drained pasta and beans to the skillet along with 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats pasta, adding more pasta water if needed. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot 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-Pot 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot 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-Pot 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-Pot Lemon Herb Pasta with White Beans?
Italian 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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
