One-Pot Rainbow Veggie Pasta with Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

A colorful one-pot pasta dish featuring fresh vegetables sautéed until tender and tossed with Parmesan cheese for a comforting meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium yellow squash, diced
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to brown the garlic.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced zucchini, and 1 diced yellow squash to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and begin to caramelize.
3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and add 12 oz penne pasta directly to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 cups baby spinach, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce coats the pasta evenly. Serve immediately.