Nothing can spoil a delicious dinner quite like a mountain of dishes to clean after. Thankfully, many amazing pasta recipes can be made in just one pot with the right ratios. Build the sauce in the pan, then add broth or water and pasta. Reduce until a silky sauce forms and, voila! A filling meal made in a fraction of the time. Read on to see our favorite one-pot pasta dishes, from light and fresh vegetarian dinners to ones that are hearty and comforting. You'll find one-pan spaghetti, macaroni, linguine and more.

Save the hours of simmering for another day. This one-pot Bolognese simmers quickly along with tomatoes and bucatini until a chunky sauce forms. Finish to taste with plenty of grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.

Ditch the can and make homemade pasta O’s from scratch in just one pot. Fold a bit of tomato paste into sautéed onion and garlic, then pour in chicken stock and half-and-half for the pasta to simmer in. By the time the pasta is cooked, the liquid will be thickened into a silky sauce that everyone will want to taste.

Sweet peas temper the richness of a creamy rigatoni pasta as does an unexpected addition of salty capers. The sauce has plenty of fresh chopped rosemary and thyme, plus a double-punch of lemon zest and juice. A splash of white wine leaves a bright and tangy finish that will have you coming back for seconds.

Store-bought pesto can create a rich, flavorful dinner in a pinch when combined with cooked linguini and fresh grape tomatoes. A few ounces of quartered ciliegini mozzarella pearls add soft bites of cheesy goodness to the dish and optional chunks of meaty soppressata lend a rich and decadent note. In all, it’s a simple meal that can come in handy when you need dinner on the table, fast.

This take on the boxed favorite has all of the flavor and none of the preservatives. Cooked ground beef simmers in sautéed onions and garlic before combining with chicken broth and elbow macaroni. Just as the liquid is almost totally absorbed, fold in shredded Cheddar and cream cheese to make a creamy sauce.

Bold, creamy and comforting, this recipe can have a spicy dinner on your table in just 30 minutes. Cajun seasoning coats tender pieces of chicken thighs that sauté with sliced bell peppers and onions. Silky cream cheese folded in at the end combines all the flavors into a rich and luxurious sauce.

There’s no need to be intimidated by notoriously tricky cacio e pepe. Cooking the pasta in the same pot that you build the sauce ensures that plenty of the starchy liquid stays behind to keep the cheese from clumping. The hallmark flavor of the dish comes from the black pepper so make sure to spring for freshly ground.

This fresh tomato pasta will have you forgetting all about your favorite jarred sauce. Fresh tomatoes simmered in plenty of garlic and extra-virgin olive oil form the base for the spaghetti to cook in. After a few minutes, the pasta absorbs all the liquid and leaves behind a rich, silky sauce that’s begging for a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Use your Instant Pot to make a quick dinner that’s both satisfying and affordable. Once the base sauce is made, the whole dish only needs to cook under pressure for a minute, followed by a 5 minute slow release. The buttery garlic sauce reduces down to just the right amount to fully coat the pasta, plus a little extra for dipping bread.

Cooking your pasta in a flavorful broth will add much more flavor than plain water alone. This one uses chicken stock, canned crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, capers, and garlic to start the sauce before the pasta even starts cooking. Once the liquid has almost all absorbed, serve and finish the plate with a dollop of creamy ricotta and a sprinkle of fresh basil.

Sun-dried tomatoes, dry white wine and fresh lemon come together to create a light and tangy meal. An unexpected addition of fresh arugula folded in at the end gives each bite a fresh, peppery kick. The pot finishes cooking hands-free in the oven to give you time to set the table.

Instead of cooking your pasta in water, why not kick it up a notch and use milk? This one-pot Mac and cheese recipe is extra creamy thanks to this easy hack, no roux required. A combination of shredded Cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese ensures the perfect combination of flavor and texture.

Inspired by the baked feta pasta that took the internet by storm, this recipe is similarly easy but uses creamy goat cheese and comes together in a fraction of the time, thanks to the Instant Pot®! We opted for a short, tubular pasta for this dish to capture a bit of the creamy sauce inside each piece. Top with a sprinkle of fresh basil and you have a bright and flavorful dish you’ll want to make year-round.

Enjoy all the tasty, verdant flavors of spring in one dish thanks to this streamlined pasta primavera recipe. A combination of cream cheese and heavy cream combine to make a silky, luxurious sauce to coat the lightly sautéed vegetables. Use the ones suggested, or feel free to swap in whatever’s in season.

You don't have to cook pasta and sauce separately anymore. In our version of this classic dish, all the ingredients come together in one pot and the pasta cooks while the sauce reduces and thickens.

Though only slightly thicker than regular spaghetti, the extra width helps it soak up the flavors of the sauce — in this case tangy lemon juice and fragrant scallions and garlic. This dish is cooked in just one pot (no need to bring water to a boil beforehand!), so it's a super quick and easy choice for weeknights. We top it off with creamy ricotta, salty Parmesan and bitter lemon zest for a bold but balanced finish.

Recreate the flavors of eggplant parmesan in just one pot by adding sautéed eggplant to a simple tomato sauce pasta and topping with crispy seasoned breadcrumbs. Making it this way saves tons of time and saves you from endless frying and simmering. Don’t forget the fresh herb garnish, which gives each bit a fresh burst of flavor.

You can have this comforting, kid-friendly pasta on the table in a flash and best of all, you don't even need to boil water first. Using an herb seasoning base in the creamy sauce and the crunchy breadcrumb topping packs the dish with texture and flavor. Juicy chicken and crisp-tender broccoli round out the meal — which is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

The bright, fresh flavors of a classic Caprese salad can be reimagined into one tasty pasta dish. The pasta simmers with tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes and oregano until al dente. Finish it with fresh basil and plenty of shredded mozzarella before serving.

Canned clams can pack a punch when combined with spicy red pepper flakes in this easy spaghetti dish. Whole wheat pasta adds fiber and balances the buttery dish with an earthy, mellow flavor. The entire recipe is ready in just 20 minutes, so save this one for a busy weeknight.

A traditional vodka sauce pasta delivers rich, creamy comfort with just a hint of spice. This version adds a bunch of thinly sliced Swiss chard to the recipe to incorporate fiber and nutrients. Once the pasta and chard has softened, a quick toss with heavy cream, Parmesan and fresh cherry tomatoes finishes the sauce to a perfectly creamy texture.