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Easy One-Pan Rainbow Veggie Pasta

easy one-pan rainbow veggie pasta - featured image
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A quick, colorful, and wholesome one-pan pasta dish packed with fresh rainbow veggies, perfect for busy weeknights and healthy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces penne or rotini pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast (for dairy-free option)

Instructions

  1. Prep the veggies: Wash and slice the bell peppers into thin strips, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the zucchini into half-moons, and roughly chop the spinach. Mince the garlic finely.
  2. Heat the pan: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Once shimmering, add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add the bell peppers and zucchini: Toss in the sliced peppers and zucchini, stirring occasionally until they start to soften but still have a bite.
  4. Add the pasta and broth: Pour in the dry pasta, then immediately add the vegetable broth. Stir well to ensure the pasta is mostly submerged. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Simmer covered: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Cook, stirring every 4-5 minutes to prevent sticking and check pasta doneness, for 12-15 minutes.
  6. Add final veggies and spinach: When pasta is tender but al dente, stir in cherry tomatoes and spinach. Cook uncovered for another 2 minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften slightly.
  7. Finish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast, toss gently, adjust seasoning as needed, and serve immediately.

Notes

If pasta seems dry before fully cooked, add a splash more broth or water. Stir gently to avoid breaking noodles or mashing veggies. Use short, ridged pasta shapes like penne or rotini for best results. For gluten-free, substitute with brown rice or chickpea pasta. Nutritional yeast is a great dairy-free alternative to Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan pasta, rainbow veggies, quick dinner, healthy pasta, vegetarian, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/easy-one-pan-rainbow-veggie-pasta-recipe-for-quick-healthy-meals/