25 One-Pot Pasta Recipes That Are Ridiculously Comforting (And Leave Virtually No Cleanup)

I'm suddenly starving.

Dinner is always easier when you only have one pot to wash.

Who wants to deal with a ton of dishes after a long day? I know I don't — which is why one-pot pastas are a busy cook's best friend. They're quick and delicious,  and they hit the spot without requiring you to take out every piece of kitchen equipment you've ever owned.

These recipes are the real deal, too — true one-pot pasta recipes, where the noodles cook in broth or sauce as it simmers. You won't find any sneaky recipes here that call for "pre-cooked pasta" in the ingredients list. You deserve better than that. (We all deserve better than that.)

1. One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

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This is a great, adaptable base for a one-pot pasta recipe. You can use different pasta types or even add whatever protein or veggies you have on hand — and the base recipe is made with things you probably already have in your kitchen.

Recipe: One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

2. One-Pot Basil Pasta

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I love a recipe where you basically put everything into a pan, turn the pan on, and you're done. Surprise, surprise...this one fits the bill! Commenters recommend using broth in place of the water, if you have some on hand.

Recipe: One-Pot Basil Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

3. One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

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In my book, there's no dinner equation that's easier or more satisfying than pasta + protein + broccoli + Parmesan = heaven. This one keeps it even simpler by cooking everything in one pot, and the spice is just the gilding on top to make it perfect.

Recipe: One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

4. Creamy Dairy-Free One-Pot Pasta

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Nutritional yeast and almond milk give this pasta so much creamy, cheesy flavor that you won't even miss the dairy. I promise you: You'll be too blissed out on pasta to even notice.

Recipe: Creamy Dairy-Free One-Pot Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

5. One-Pot Chicken Spinach Bacon Alfredo

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This recipe is delicious as-is, but some commenters recommend upping the amount of bacon for an additional hit of smokiness. I mean, to be fair...has a recipe ever not been improved with more bacon? 

Recipe: One-Pot Chicken Spinach Bacon Alfredo | Shop This Recipe 

6. One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

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This pasta is miles better than the kind from a box, and you can even customize the ingredients so it's just the way you like it. Want more ketchup? Go for it. Want to add mushrooms? The pasta is your oyster.

Recipe: One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

7. Easy One-Pot Mac 'N' Cheese

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I'm admittedly a bit of a mac 'n' cheese snob, but I gotta say...this recipe slaps. Using the milk to cook the pasta means your sauce gets lusciously thick right from the start, so you don't need to fuss with a roux to get a perfectly creamy sauce. 

Recipe: Easy One-Pot Mac 'N' Cheese | Shop This Recipe 

8. One-Pot Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

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Definitely don't skip the step where you stir this pasta every so often as it cooks — since it's cooking directly in the sauce, you want to make sure none of the noodles stick together and leave you with a clumpy dinner. (It would probably still taste good, TBH.)

Recipe: One-Pot Chicken and Mushroom Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

9. One-Pot Swedish Meatball Pasta

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I don't know about you, but sometimes I crave Swedish meatballs so much that I consider taking a recreational trip to Ikea. However, this pasta recipe is much easier, just as delicious, and won't result in buying 17 tchotchkes you probably don't need. A win all around!

Recipe: One-Pot Swedish Meatball Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

10. One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

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This pasta is basically a party in your mouth. It's creamy, spicy, and comforting — like all of your favorite parts of fajitas but without the extensive dishes to clean up.

Recipe: One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

11. One-Pot Cheesy Lemon Chicken Pasta

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The lemony brightness really adds some zing to this classic cream sauce. Just a touch of juice and zest is all it takes to make this meal feel surprisingly light.

Recipe: One-Pot Cheesy Lemon Chicken Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

12. One-Pot Pasta Primavera

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You can make this classic springtime pasta year-round, and even with frozen veggies — if you do, just add them a little bit later in the cooking process so they don't overcook and get mushy.

Recipe: One-Pot Pasta Primavera | Shop This Recipe 

13. One-Pot Hot Dog Pasta

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I grew up on hot dogs in mac 'n' cheese, and I know I'm not the only one. This is basically a more flavorful version of that. Could you spice it up with kielbasa or another sausage? Yes, but honestly, it's great with the hot dogs.

Recipe: One-Pot Hot Dog Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

14. Lasagna Skillet Pasta

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The ricotta on top looks beautiful, but I like to put a dollop at the bottom of the bowl, too, just before spooning the pasta over it. It gets melty and lovely, and you'll have a little cheesy surprise in every mouthful.

Recipe: Lasagna Skillet Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

15. One-Pot Cajun Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta

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You can definitely use pre-mixed Cajun seasoning here if you have one you love on hand. And if you want to add a little cream or half and half to the milk, you'll be rewarded with extra creamy deliciousness.

Recipe: One-Pot Cajun Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

16. One-Pot Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta

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Marsala wine can be hard to find in stores, depending on where you are, but the suggested substitution of regular white wine and brandy definitely makes the grade. You can even leave out the wine entirely, but then you've just got (delicious!) chicken Alfredo. (Trust me — any Italians in your life will be very upset if you still call it Marsala.)

Recipe: One-Pot Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

17. Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

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Twenty minutes might seem like way too long to cook pasta, especially if you like things al dente, but it totally works. Since you're cooking on a simmer instead of a rolling boil (and with other ingredients in the pot), you really need that extra time for the pasta to cook fully.

Recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

18. One-Pot Taco Spaghetti

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All the best parts of a classic taco night are replicated in this pasta, from the seasoned meat, to the cheese, and tons of toppings — you won't even miss the shell!

Recipe: One-Pot Taco Spaghetti | Shop This Recipe 

19. Creamy One-Pot Spinach Shrimp Pasta

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While you do technically need a second bowl or plate to hold your shrimp while the pasta cooks, it's worth it — unlike chicken or beef, the shrimp will really overcook while the pasta finishes. Save yourself from rubbery shrimp, and just use the plate you reserved them on to serve up the pasta when it's done! Problem solved.

Recipe: Creamy One-Pot Spinach Shrimp Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

20. One-Pot Chicken, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Pasta

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In this recipe, specifically using one pot really helps to build flavor — the bacon cooks and the fat renders down, and you'll use that rendered fat to cook the chicken thighs. Building the sauce on top of all that gorgeous fond adds an amazing depth to the finished product.

Recipe: One-Pot Chicken, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

21. Mushroom Stroganoff

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Pro Tip: Make sure your non-dairy milk is unflavored. While you might not notice vanilla flavoring in your cereal or your coffee, it'll make a big (and unwelcome) difference here.

Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff | Shop This Recipe 

22. One-Pan Taco Macaroni and Cheese

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It's always a great day when two amazing foods come together and make an even greater food — and today is that day. This is also a great way to use up leftover taco meat, if you have some in the house!

Recipe: One-Pan Taco Macaroni and Cheese | Shop This Recipe 

23. One-Pot Fiery Chicken & Vegetables Pasta

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If you can't find the Tasty seasoning that this recipe calls for, you can get it online, or use your own spices. This one is a Sriracha lime flavor, so you could add both of those to this pasta for a solid dupe.

Recipe: One-Pot Fiery Chicken & Vegetables Pasta | Shop This Recipe 

24. Elevated Hamburger Helper

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The smoked gouda in this recipe is a showstopper — it adds a ton of flavor on top of the cheddar, and amplifies the creaminess of the sauce. The dish itself will be delicious with or without it, but I highly recommend giving it a shot.

Recipe: Elevated Hamburger Helper | Shop This Recipe 

25. One-Pot Chicken Alfredo

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This is a great recipe for beginner cooks — FYI, one of the commenters is 12 — because it's super easy and comes out delicious every time. Make this if you're new to the kitchen, and I bet you'll be inspired to keep cooking.

Recipe: One-Pot Chicken Alfredo | Shop This Recipe 

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