Some of the most popular recipes we shared in the Dinner Done Cookbook were the one-pot pastas. No boiling water, no cooking the noodles first. Just great pasta in one pot. They’re ready in the time that it would typically take just to bring a pot of water to boil.
This was one of the pasta dishes we tested for the book, but since we already had a Pasta Rose and a Fettucini Alfredo, we felt it overlapped too much. 
Start by combining all the sauce ingredients and bring to a boil.
Add pasta, cover, and let cook.
Almost ready…get it nice and cheesy…
And we’re done.
One thing to be aware of: The only negative to one-pot pastas is that they really need to be served fresh. Since you aren’t tossing out the water (which contains lots of starch), the pasta will start sticking together if it sits around.
- 1 lb medium shells (or any medium size shape)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 5 cups water
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add garlic and cook for a few seconds, until fragrant. Add tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Add marinara sauce, water, and seasoning. Bring to a boil. Add pasta. Cover and lower heat. Cook for 12-13 minutes, stirring 3-4 times.
- Stir in cheese. Mix and remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve fresh.
Is there a spice sold as “Italian seasoning”? I’ve looked around for it when trying the Pasta Rose recipe from the cookbook but couldn’t find any…
https://www.target.com/p/ground-italian-seasoning-0-75oz-good-38-gather-8482/-/A-77587153
I’m sure there are Jewish brands too.
Prima makes a great Italian Seasoning spice.
Now how can we turn this into a 9×13 recipe?? Washing out a pasta pot is no fun….
I made this in a 9×13 disposable pan tonight on the stove! Was a huge hit n no cleanup:)
Are you referring to the Prima pizza spice? I prob can use that instead…
You can replace it with dried oregano and a bit of basil.
You can use dried oregano instead.
When I make the one-pot pastas, I find that the food at the bottom gets burnt and very hard to wash off. Any tips?
Stir every so often, lower flame or add a bit more water. Keep an eye on it.
looks yum…though can I assume another downside is that no tossing water makes for more starch= more fattening dish?
It’s actually just some minerals and vitamins.
Pasta is a fart we ning
How many servings will I get from this recipe?
6 oz tomato paste is 3/4 cup. Is that the correct amount? Or is it a typo? Just making sure I don't ruin supper lol
It’s not 3/4 cup. It’s 6 oz weight. A small can of tomato paste.
This recipe could be easily adapted to either taco pasta by substituting shells for Macaroni noodles, Sub out marinara for salsa. Sub out mozzarella for cheddar. Sub out spices for taco seasoning. Add some black beans if you like.
It could also be adapted for fake “cheeseburger” pasta which my daughter said is really what hamburger helper is. I would use rotini pasta, a plant based protein like beyond burgers and crumble it into the sauce. Sub out the mozzarella for cheddar. Sub out the spices and put in a “hamburger blend” or onion powder and add a little bit of mustard to the sauce. Take out the marinara and add ketchup instead.
I made the recipe as it is written and it was super great! The kids ate every single piece of pasta. I have to say that it took longer to cook because we used a wheat pasta good for you pasta which I wouldn’t do again.
basic italian seasoning
1. 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano.
2. 1 teaspoon dried marjoram.(optional)
3. 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
4. 1/2 teaspoon dried basil.
5. 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary.
6. 1/2 teaspoon dried sage. (optional)
or
Try substituting 1/4 teaspoon each of basil, thyme, rosemary and oregano for each teaspoon of Italian seasoning
make alot and keep in a finished spice cont.
Can this recipe be used with whole wheat pasta too? Or maybe ww should be precooked?
Has anyone tried this in a Betty crocker?