I love when meals come out of nowhere. I made this quick, simple and healthy One Pot Cheesy Tomato Pasta a couple Sundays ago for dinner. J and I had just got back from a relaxing walk and the last thing I wanted to do was cook up something elaborate. I never feel like spending hours in the kitchen on Sunday evening. Are you with me on that one?
I threw some macaroni, canned tomatoes, broccoli, spices, a bit of garlic and onions (you can even use dried if you are really lazy in a rush) in a pot… and this awesome One Pot Cheesy Tomato Pasta came to be!
I won’t bore you with my school stuff but I am going in to defend my thesis this afternoon! I didn’t want to make you guys wait any longer for this simple and quick One Pot Cheesy Tomato Macaroni. I teased you guys with this quick and easy dish on Instagram and Facebook and was planing on sharing it with you later that week but my exam schedule and thesis defense got the best of me! Forgive me? 😉
Guys, this One Pot Cheesy Tomato Macaroni literally takes less than 20 minutes to throw together. And that includes serving it in a bowl and topping it off with lots of hot sauce! Throw everything in a pot, stir, wait, serve, devour.
How is this Healthy One Pot Cheesy Tomato Pasta so darn creamy? The starch created from the pasta while cooking in the vegetable broth magically makes a super creamy pasta sauce. Throwing in a bit of nutritional yeast once the pasta is ready takes the cheesiness and creaminess of this One Pot Cheesy Tomato Pasta to the next level. This meal has become a staple around here for any night I just don’t feel like doin’ a whole lotta cookin! Dinner is served, Yum!
I’m off to defend my thesis now, send good thoughts my way and wish me luck!
*Note: The Nutritional Yeast is an essential ingredient in this Vegan Cheesy Tomato Mac and is what makes it taste so cheesy despite the fact there is no dairy cheese actually in it. 😉 I mentioned before with my Healthy Pasta Primavera that nutritional yeast should be a staple in every kitchen!! If you have not started cooking with it yet, I would highlyy recommend getting some. Even if your kitchen is not plant-based, nutritional yeast is a great way to bring that “cheesy” taste to your favorite dishes while keeping them low fat and cholesterol free! 🙂
- 2 full cups [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=elbow%20pasta%20organic&linkCode=ur2&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aelbow%20pasta%20organic&tag=ceaskit0b-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=XIJ7WSWT44T7XOYO” target=”_blank”]macaroni[/url] (250 grams/8.8 oz)
- 1 [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HDJXLW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HDJXLW&linkCode=as2&tag=ceaskit0b-20&linkId=STE6YSQSKYMZYRJH” target=”_blank”]can chopped tomatoes[/url] (1 1/2 cups)
- 4 cloves garlic, diced
- 1/2 medium white onion, chopped
- 2 heaping cups broccoli florets (frozen or fresh)
- 1/2 tbsp vegan [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058NJA8C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0058NJA8C&linkCode=as2&tag=ceaskit0b-20&linkId=BIALSR4XNQTW2HIS” target=”_blank”]Worcestershire sauce[/url]
- 3 – 5 splashes hot sauce
- 1/2 tbsp [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AJRKITM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AJRKITM&linkCode=as2&tag=ceaskit0b-20&linkId=LMQSFRF44FLZZ7SU” target=”_blank”]herbes de provence[/url]*
- 2 cups [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014EUA1A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0014EUA1A&linkCode=as2&tag=ceaskit0b-20&linkId=2KXAB3JUCQCHK6VQ” target=”_blank”]low sodium vegetable broth[/url]
- 1/4 cup [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002863BIW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002863BIW&linkCode=as2&tag=ceaskit0b-20&linkId=SUF6VGY5ZNKVLJIY” target=”_blank”]nutritional yeast[/url]
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Dice the garlic, chop the onions and broccoli into bite size florets (see photo, or just use frozen). Add all of the ingredients [u]except the nutritional yeast [/u](macaroni through to vegetable broth) to a large pot (Use a pot larger than the one used in the photo so the pasta does no stick together!!).
- Bring the pot to boil over medium high heat. Stir every few minutes until the macaroni is cooked through. [u]Make sure not to overcook the macaroni[/u]. Once the macaroni is cooked to aldente add the nutritional yeast to the pasta and vegetables. Stir everything together. Season with addition herbs, salt and pepper to taste. [b][u]Note[/u][/b]: You should [i]not[/i] have a lot of liquid left over, the macaroni should have soaked it up up during the cooking process. A bit of liquid is fine and adds to the creaminess of the pasta. If there happens to be a lot of liquid, just drain a little bit of it out before adding the nutritional yeast.
- Serve warm, garnish with additional hot sauce, nutritional yeast and chives! Best served warm right away.
Giveaway: One last thing, make sure to come back Friday for a GIVEAWAY I’ll be hosting on the blog!! I’m giving away a few packs of my favorite granola to one very lucky reader. Stay Tuned!
If you do try this Vegan and Healthy One Pot Cheesy Tomato Pasta, I love hearing about it and seeing your awesome #CearasKitchen creations. Share your photos with me on Instagram @CearasKitchen (and remember to tag #CearasKitchen so I don’t miss it!) or share it on my Ceara’s Kitchen Facebook page. Have a wonderful day everyone! <3
42 comments
Thanks Ceara! I LOVE this idea of a ONE pot meal – so only ONE pot to clean! I featured this link on my FB group today “Super Quick Plant-Based Recipes” https://www.facebook.com/SuperQuickPBRecipes/ – where I feature daily recipes that only take 20 min. or less to prepare and use as few ingredients as possible. My group will love this one and your site!
We made it this evening, substituting the broccoli for a mix of cauliflower and carrots, ’cause that was all we had left in the frigde. It was so GOOD and creamy!!
Thank you for this lovely recipe! We’ll definitely make it again 🙂
SO happy you loved this one pot meal!! <3 Thank you!
I feel really stupid but what is nutritional yeast? I really want 2 make this. Would really appreciate an answer. I’m so sorry in ur busy schedule.
Hi Donna,
No need to feel stupid at all – I had NO idea what nutritional yeast was at one point as well! I love this blog post from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen on what nutritional yeast is: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/10/what-the-heck-is-nutritional-yeast.html.
It basically gives a deliciously cheesy and savory flavor to recipes!
Hope this helps!
Ceara
I REALLY loved this!!! Just made it with penne and enjoyed it so much! I had my doubts about it getting creamy, but it really did haha Great dinner and so many possibilities! Thank you!
So happy you enjoyed – this one pot meal is a favorite around here! Can’t get any easier 🙂
Would Gluten Free pasta work here?
I always use wheat pasta in this recipe but a good and sturdy gluten free pasta should work well. I like this one in particular. Please let me know if you end up trying it!
This was fantastic! I added a little slurry of 1 tsp cornstarch + water to it at the end with the nooch to help make it a bit more creamy since i think i had a tad too much liquid (but not enough to drain off).
This is going into the rotation! Quick, easy and delicious!
Yay!! So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
I rarely eat pasta, but this looks super delish and will be a good meal to send to wk with my husband. Glad other’s like it too. Positive feedback is a great resource to base making a recipe on. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Thank you Jessica! I would love to know your results if you end up trying it! 🙂
I absolutely loved this recipe! Turned out great it was super fast, full of flavour, and low fat. Perfect for those nights you are in a hurry I will definitely make this again.
<3 SO happy you enjoyed it!! Thank you for the feedback :)
Hi Ceara! I absolutely love one pot meals, no thesis here but 2 little kids keeping me super busy. Not to mention work work work. You need tasty meals though when you’re constantly on-the-go, and who wants to wash pots? Totally not me. Love you you managed to make it creamy out of vegetable broth and starch. Yum! I’d be super excited just to eat the leftovers of this, mind sharing? Ha.
Hehe, sending the leftovers your way Laura! One pot meals are the best for busy days (or any day – I never like doing dishes, ha!). 🙂 😉
Good luck on your defense! I am defending (hopefully) in November…after 6 years in the making…so ready to be done! Love this healthy pasta dinner, I love lighter, healthy pastas! I’ve never tried nutritional yeast, but sounds like I should try it!
Thank you, Denise!!! It feels so GOOD to be done – next step finish exams and graduate 🙂 I can only imagine how amazing it will feel once you’ll be done our Phd!!
And you need to get on the nutritional yeast train, girl!!! 🙂 My partner isn’t vegan and LOVES this stuff! <3
I made this and it was so easy and quick! Followed the directions exactly and it turned out wonderful…so creamy, cheesy and delicious. I added some olives right before serving! Thanks for sharing this recipe – it will become one of my favorites when I want something quick and flavorful!
Thank you SO much for your wonderful feedback, Linda! I am SO happy you enjoyed it and it’s become one of your favorites!! I absolutely love your addition of olives – I am olive obsessed over here! 🙂
This is just what I need right now…last week was dominated by raw foods and my body is craving some creamy comfort. Thank you.
Yay! Our bodies know best 🙂 Enjoy!
omg girl! this is comfort food heaven. Ive been seriously into the cheese dishes lately and its a one pot meal which is extra awesome. Pinned for sure!
<3 Thank you for the kind words and pin!
is there any cheese in this? Don’t see it listed in the ingredients..
HI Sharon! The nutritional yeast + the technique of cooking the pasta in the water with the tomatoes is what gives it its distinct “cheesy” flavor 🙂
Ceara, this looks like a cheezy post of heaven! And yes, to smothering it in hot sauce! Yum! Another winner!
<3 Thanks Jenn!!! :) Smothering in hot sauce is always a must around here with savor dishes ;)
this dish looks so comforting! I Love all things pasta especially made all special like this! yummmy pinning this will be a great dinner!
Thank you, Michele! It’s totally a super comforting meal 🙂
One pot meals are the best! The sauce sounds super tasty!
Thanks, Izzi! They truly are 😀
Oh yes please! I love one pot pasta dishes! This looks really good! Pinning 🙂
Thanks so much, Vanessa!!! <3 🙂
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Oh my gosh this looks sooo good Ceara!! I love these quick, easy meals! I do this quite often when I don’t feel like following my exact recipe and I’m too lazy. I LOVE pasta, it is my comfort food and this looks like it contains everything I love! Love all that added broccoli too, yum!
Thanks so much, Brandi! One pot pasta meals are the best for lazy nights 🙂
This sounds so awesome! Thanks for sharing – and all the best for later! 🙂
Thank you so much, Sonne!
Some of my favourite meals are the ones that come from nowhere. Especially when it is comfort food like this.
I still need to try nutritional yeast.
Meals that come out of nowhere are the best 🙂 Yes!! You need to try nutritional yeast – it’s wonderful! 🙂