One-Pot Tomato Basil White Bean Pasta
A simple, hearty pasta dish with sun-ripened tomatoes, creamy white beans, and fresh basil in a single pot. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs ounces spaghetti, tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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 ounces spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 14 ounces can crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces can, drained and rinsed white beans
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces spaghetti and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, sautéing 1 minute until fragrant and garlic is golden (do not brown).
- Step 3: Add crushed tomatoes, drained white beans, and 1/2 cup vegetable broth to the skillet. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats pasta strands.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato Basil White Bean Pasta 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 Tomato Basil 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 ounces spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tomato Basil 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 Basil 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 Basil 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.