One Pot Pasta Italian or Mexican

Transform dinner time with this versatile One Pot Pasta recipe, offering your choice of Italian or Mexican flair with minimal cleanup! This savory dish combines pantry staples like pasta, canned tomatoes, and broth with bold seasonings—Italian herbs for a classic, comforting flavor or zesty taco spices for a festive twist. Packed with protein from ground beef or turkey and melty cheese, it’s easily customizable with fresh basil or cilantro, and optional mix-ins like black beans and corn for the Mexican variation. Ready in just 35 minutes, this fuss-free meal is perfect for busy weeknights, delivering hearty portions and vibrant flavors in a single pot.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (canned)
• 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (for Italian version) OR taco seasoning (for Mexican version)
• 0.25 cup fresh basil or chopped cilantro (depending on version)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese or shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup corn (optional, for Mexican version)
• 1 cup black beans (optional, for Mexican version, drained and rinsed)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.

Step 3

Add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed.

Step 4

Stir in the diced tomatoes, pasta, chicken or vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and your choice of seasoning (Italian seasoning for an Italian version or taco seasoning for a Mexican version).

Step 5

Mix everything well and bring it to a boil.

Step 6

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pot. Adjust cooking time based on the type of pasta used.

Step 7

For Italian style, stir in fresh basil and top with mozzarella cheese. For Mexican style, stir in cilantro along with optional corn and black beans, then top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 8

Cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add red pepper flakes for extra spice, if desired.

Step 10

Remove from heat and let the pasta sit for a couple of minutes before serving.

Step 11

Garnish with additional fresh basil or cilantro and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3012.2 grams (3012.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2791

Total Fat 143.00g	183%
Saturated Fat 52.20g	261%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 401mg	134%
Sodium 7741mg	337%
Total Carbohydrate 236.80g	86%
Dietary Fiber 36.40g	130%
Total Sugars 42.20g
Protein 147.60g	295%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1220mg	94%
Iron 21mg	117%
Potassium 3868mg	82%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.6%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 33.5%