If you love a good Margherita pizza — with melty mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, and fresh basil — you’re going to love this pasta version.

This One-Pot Margherita Pasta brings all those classic flavors into a creamy, comforting, and veggie-packed dish that cooks in just one pan. No straining, no multiple pots — just toss everything in, let it simmer, and top with plenty of fresh basil and melty cheese. It’s a simple, meatless meal that tastes way fancier than it is.

It’s fast, fresh, and full of clean ingredients — exactly the kind of dinner Healthy Fast Food at Home is made for.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

• 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

• 8 oz whole grain or gluten-free pasta (penne or rotini work great)

• ¼ tsp sea salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella or dairy-free cheese

• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (plus more for topping)

• Optional: 1 tbsp balsamic glaze for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Sauté the garlic & tomatoes
   In a large skillet or pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 3–4 minutes until tomatoes start to soften and burst.

2. Add pasta & broth
   Pour in the pasta, broth, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.

3. Finish with cheese & basil
   Turn off heat and stir in mozzarella and fresh basil. Let sit for 1–2 minutes to melt. Add more basil on top for color and flavor.

4. Serve hot
   Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired and enjoy immediately.

Sarah’s Tips:

• Want it extra creamy? Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt or dairy-free cream at the end.

• Make it gluten-free: Use chickpea or brown rice pasta.

• Add protein: Toss in grilled chicken, white beans, or sautéed shrimp.

• No cherry tomatoes? Use canned diced tomatoes or chopped Roma tomatoes in a pinch.

Flavorful Conclusion:

This One-Pot Margherita Pasta is everything a weeknight dinner should be — fast, fresh, and full of feel-good flavor. It's like pizza night in a bowl, made with wholesome ingredients in just one pot.

Nutrition (per serving, serves 4):

• Calories: 310

• Protein: 13g

• Carbs: 38g

• Fat: 12g

• Fiber: 5g

• Sugar: 5g