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–+ servings
Weeknight Pasta Squiggles

Weeknight Pasta Squiggles

The Crispy Chef
A lightning-fast, one-pot pasta dinner made with fun squiggly noodles, creamy tomato-Parmesan sauce, and pantry staples. Kid-approved, endlessly customizable, and ready in just 25 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian-American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 485 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cheese grater
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 lb cooked chicken, diced (optional)
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
  • 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high until shimmering.
  • Add onion; cook 3–4 minutes. Add bell pepper; cook 2 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds.
  • Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, about 2–3 minutes.
  • Add pasta directly to the pot. Stir and cook 10–12 minutes, until al dente and liquid mostly absorbed.
  • Lower heat; stir in cream, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  • Remove from heat; gradually stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy.
  • Stir in fresh basil and any add-ins. Let sit 2–3 minutes to thicken before serving.

Notes

Customize with cooked chicken, peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or bacon. Make it gluten-free with GF pasta, dairy-free with coconut milk and nutritional yeast, or lighter with half-and-half. Leftovers keep well and taste great reheated with a splash of milk or broth.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 18gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 550mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1800IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg
Keyword easy creamy pasta, one pot pasta, rotini recipe, weeknight pasta
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