One-Pot Pasta with Lemon and White Beans
A simple, satisfying dinner where pasta cooks directly in the sauce with tender beans and bright lemon notes. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs ounces spaghetti, tablespoons olive oil, finely diced small onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 ounces spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1, finely diced small onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (15-ounce) can, drained and rinsed white beans
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 small finely diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 (15-ounce) can drained and rinsed white beans, 1 cup vegetable broth, and 8 ounces spaghetti. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Uncover, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 lemon zested and juiced, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Pasta with Lemon and 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 Pasta with Lemon and 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 ounces spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Pasta with Lemon and 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 Pasta with Lemon and 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 Pasta with Lemon and White Beans?
Italian pasta 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
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to pasta dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better pasta dishes though.
