Mediterranean One Pot Pasta (Print Version)
Vibrant pasta with Mediterranean vegetables, olives, and herbs, all cooked together in one pot for a quick and healthy meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta & Liquids
01 - 12 ounces dried penne or fusilli pasta
02 - 3 cups vegetable broth
03 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 7 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 3 ounces baby spinach
→ Flavorings
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 3 ounces pitted Kalamata olives, halved
11 - 2 tablespoons capers, drained
12 - 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ To Serve
16 - 2 ounces crumbled feta cheese (omit or substitute vegan feta for vegan version)
17 - Fresh basil leaves
# Directions:
01 - Warm the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering.
02 - Add the minced garlic and sliced red onion. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and the onion begins to soften.
03 - Add the bell pepper, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, olives, and capers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Stir in the pasta, dried oregano, thyme, and chili flakes. Pour in the vegetable broth and stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
06 - Fold in the baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes, stirring gently, until the leaves are wilted.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- All the pasta and vegetables cook together in one pot, absorbing every drop of flavor while saving you from a sink full of dishes.
- The broth reduces into a naturally silky sauce that coats every noodle without any cream or heavy additions.
02 -
- Do not skip stirring every few minutes during the simmer or the pasta will stick to the bottom and burn before you realize it.
- The type of broth you use determines the final flavor more than anything else, so choose one you genuinely enjoy drinking on its own.
03 -
- If the liquid absorbs before the pasta is done, add a splash of warm water and keep cooking rather than panic.
- Let the finished pot rest off the heat for two minutes before serving, the sauce thickens perfectly in that short wait.