One-Pot Rainbow Vegetable Pasta with Parmesan

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, easy one-pot pasta bursting with colorful vegetables and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs penne pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, medium, diced yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, warm 3 tbsp olive oil and sauté 3 cloves minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz penne pasta, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced yellow bell pepper, 1 diced zucchini, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 4 cups vegetable broth to the pot.
  3. Step 3: Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12-14 minutes until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 cups baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. If desired, sprinkle 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes for a mild kick.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
  6. Step 6: Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan if preferred.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Rainbow Vegetable Pasta with Parmesan take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Rainbow Vegetable 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 penne pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Rainbow Vegetable 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 Rainbow Vegetable 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 Rainbow Vegetable 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.

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