Mediterranean One-Pot Pasta

Introduction

Mediterranean One-Pot Pasta is a vibrant, delicious dish that captures the heart of coastal cuisine—full of sun-ripened tomatoes, briny olives, aromatic herbs, and tender pasta, all simmered together in a single pan. Not only is this recipe packed with bold, fresh flavors, but its one-pot method makes it a weeknight favorite: minimal cleanup, maximum taste. Perfect for feeding a crowd or making dinner effortless without sacrificing quality.

Deliciously Unique Mediterranean One-Pot Pasta

What sets this Mediterranean pasta apart is its blend of simple ingredients that create a sensational, cohesive meal. Cooking everything together infuses the pasta with the essence of olive oil, garlic, herbs, and vegetables, resulting in depth of flavor that’s hard to achieve any other way. The dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy cooks who still want to enjoy global cuisine at home.

Preparing the Perfect Mediterranean Sauce

The secret to a great Mediterranean sauce is using high-quality olive oil and a medley of fresh (or canned) tomatoes, capers, and just the right amount of garlic. Saute them with red onion until fragrant, then add robust Kalamata olives and a touch of lemon zest for brightness. As the pasta cooks directly in the sauce, it absorbs all the flavors, ensuring each strand is packed with Mediterranean goodness.

Assembling Your Mediterranean One-Pot Pasta

Start by heating the olive oil and sautéing garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Add in the tomatoes, olives, and capers, then your dry pasta and water or broth. Stir well so the pasta is submerged, then let everything simmer. As the pasta cooks, it soaks up the aromatic broth, becoming flavorful and perfect in texture. Finish with spinach, crumbled feta, and fresh herbs—this meal is as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Serving Suggestions for a Show Stopping Mediterranean One-Pot Pasta

Serve this pasta hot, garnished with extra feta, a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, and a drizzle of good olive oil. Pair with crusty bread and a simple green salad for a total Mediterranean experience. This dish works well for family-style service or elegant weeknight dining and tastes just as great as leftovers the next day.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 generous servings. Each portion is well-balanced, offering a healthy dose of fiber, plant-based protein, and vitamins from vegetables and olives. On average, a serving contains 400–450 calories, depending on the type and amount of cheese or additional toppings used.

Mediterranean One-Pot Pasta (Recap)

This one-pot wonder delivers true Mediterranean flavor in a single pan, with perfectly cooked pasta and a medley of savory vegetables—all without hassle or a sink full of dishes.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the red onion, garlic, and bell pepper; cook until softened and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
2. Add diced tomatoes (with juices), olives, capers, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
3. Pour in uncooked pasta and vegetable broth. Stir so the pasta is submerged and evenly distributed.
4. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Stir in the spinach and lemon zest. Cook until spinach is wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and mix in crumbled feta. Taste and add salt, pepper, or additional oregano as needed.
7. Serve in bowls, topped with extra feta and fresh herbs. Add a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Mediterranean One-Pot Pasta is a fantastic addition to your meal prep rotation—easy to make, easy to reheat, and satisfying for lunch or dinner. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to make it and generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients from all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
• Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
• Makes weekly meal prep more efficient and organized

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals for the week, schedule your recipes to see how pantry staples like olive oil or cheese overlap. This avoids overshopping and saves money—plus, it lets you maximize ingredient use across different dishes.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes