One-Pot Tomato and White Bean Pasta
Creamy pasta simmered with cannellini beans and fresh basil in a simple tomato sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, cannellini beans, tomato paste 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
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 cans cannellini beans
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup vegetable broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried oregano, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then add drained cannellini beans (with liquid), 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats pasta evenly and reaches desired consistency.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato and White Bean Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Tomato and White Bean Pasta?
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 Tomato and White Bean Pasta?
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 Tomato and White Bean Pasta 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 Tomato and White Bean Pasta 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better one pot dishes though.
