Mediterranean One Pot Pasta (Printable)
Vibrant pasta with vegetables, olives, and herbs cooking together in one pot for a quick 30-minute meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta & Liquids
01 - 12 oz dried penne or fusilli pasta
02 - 3 cups vegetable broth
03 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 zucchini, sliced
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 3 oz baby spinach
→ Flavorings
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 3 oz pitted Kalamata olives, halved
11 - 2 tbsp capers, drained
12 - 1½ tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 tsp dried thyme
14 - ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ To Serve
16 - 2 oz crumbled feta cheese (omit or substitute vegan feta for vegan version)
17 - Fresh basil leaves
# How-to Steps:
01 - Warm olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
02 - Add garlic and onion, stirring for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
03 - Toss in bell pepper, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, olives, and capers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Stir in pasta, oregano, thyme, and chili flakes. Pour in vegetable broth and stir to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Fold in baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
07 - Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with crumbled feta and fresh basil leaves.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in a single pot, which means you get maximum flavor and minimal dishwashing at the end of the night.
- The broth absorbs right into the pasta as it cooks, creating its own sauce without any cream or heavy additions.
02 -
- Use a pot that is wide and deep rather than tall and narrow, because the pasta needs room to cook evenly and the liquid needs surface area to reduce properly.
- Stir occasionally during the simmer but not constantly, since some gentle sticking on the bottom adds flavor but too much sticking creates a mess.
03 -
- Do not be tempted to drain the pasta, because the starchy broth left in the pot is what creates the silky sauce that coats every piece.
- Letting the finished pasta rest off the heat for two minutes before serving allows the sauce to thicken slightly and settle into the perfect consistency.