Creamy Veggie Pasta

This Creamy Veggie Pasta is fresh, punchy, and shockingly simple, made with juicy cherry tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, kalamata olives, and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. The pasta cooks right in the pan and broth, soaking up every bit of flavor from the creamy sauce, and is finished with crumbled feta and a sprinkle of basil.

creamy veggie pasta with cherry tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese, olives, and lemon on a white plate.

Confession: I created this recipe on a weeknight when the fridge was looking pretty sparse. A few wilting tomatoes, half a shallot, and a lonely bag of spinach somehow turned into the most delicious pasta I’d made in months! And I couldn't believe how creamy it was without any cream!

This is the kind of meal that’s perfect for warm nights when you want something satisfying but not heavy—or when you’re wearing a flowy dress and pretending you live in a Tuscan farmhouse. (Just me? haha!)

If you love a one-pot meal you've got to try this One-pot Chicken & Gravy or this hug-in-a-bowl Lasagna Soup!

Jump to:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Creamy Veggie Pasta Video
Key Ingredients
Substitutions - Mix it up!
Creamy Veggie Pasta Instructions
Questions?
More One-Pot Recipes You'll Love
⭐️ Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-pan magic – Pasta cooks right in one pot, no separate pot needed.

Creamy, but light – A flavorful cream sauce made without heavy cream. The starch from cooking the pasta in the broth is all the creaminess you will need! TRUST ME!

Full of nutritious veggies – You can toss in whatever you love. Bell peppers, green beans, yellow squash, you name it.

Fast and flexible – Done in under 30 minutes with easy pantry swaps. It doesn't get better than that!

Perfect weeknight dinner – Simple, quick, and made for your favorite veggies.

Creamy Veggie Pasta Video

If you enjoyed this video for Creamy Veggie Pasta, please subscribe to my Youtube Channel and click the BELL icon so you can be the first to know when I post a new video.

creamy veggie pasta with cherry tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese, olives, and lemon.

Key Ingredients

This pasta might taste indulgent, but it’s secretly packed with ingredients that do your body good. Here are a few standouts:

Pasta: I used penne, but you can def swap in farfalle pasta, fusilli, or whatever you have!
💡Pro Tip: When pasta is slightly undercooked (al dente), it has a lower glycemic index (GI), which means it causes a slower, more steady rise in blood sugar. That can help you feel fuller longer and avoid energy crashes.

Olive Oil: Use a good extra virgin olive oil to start your sauté—it sets the tone for the whole dish.

Cloves Garlic + Shallots: A classic flavor base. Garlic has immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cherry Tomatoes: They blister down into the sauce, releasing natural sweetness that balances the lemon and feta.

Harissa or Red Pepper Flakes: Either brings a little spice. I love harissa for its smoky complexity, but red pepper flakes work fine too.

Lemon Juice + Lemon Zest: Adds a hint of lemon that brightens the dish and balances the savory depth. Don’t skip the lemon zest—it's key.

Chicken Broth: Chicken bone broth adds body and depth and a good source of protein! It's such a great way to add flavor and protein without having to include any meat.

Spinach + Olives: Tossed in at the end for color, richness, and contrast. Chef's kiss!

Feta: Used to top the pasta, feta brings saltiness and richness!

Fresh Basil: Bright, herby, and classic. Use some in the dish and some on top.

Ingredients for creamy veggie pasta. They are penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, harissa, spinach, lemon, feta, and olive oil.

Substitutions - Mix it up!

Pasta – Use any short pasta you like: rigatoni, fusilli, or even orzo.

Broth – Swap chicken bone broth for veggie broth to make it vegetarian.

Feta – Try goat cheese, shaved parmesan, or leave it off for a dairy-free version.

Spinach – Use arugula, kale (just wilt it a little longer), or even frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed).

Add protein – Grilled chicken, shrimp, or white beans are great additions if you want to bulk it up.

Creamy Veggie Pasta Instructions

Full recipe and instructions in the recipe card at the end of post

Hands holding fresh cherry tomatoes in a floral bowl on a wooden countertop.

Step 1: Wash and halve your tomatoes. Dice the shallot, mince the garlic, and thinly slice the fresh basil.

Cooking cherry tomatoes and onions in a pan with spices, being stirred with a spoon.

Step 2: Sauté shallots until soft, then add tomatoes, garlic, harissa, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes.

Cooking penne pasta with tomatoes in a skillet, person lifting lid in a bright kitchen setting.

Step 3: Add pasta, chicken broth, lemon zest and juice. Cover and bring to a boil.

Steaming penne pasta with cherry tomatoes cooking in a black pot on a wooden surface.

Step 4: Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.

Fresh pasta dish with spinach and olives being garnished by a hand in a kitchen setting.

Step 5: Stir in spinach and olives. Cook 1–2 more minutes until spinach is wilted.

Penne pasta in a skillet with spinach, olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese being mixed by hand.

Step 6: Remove from heat. Top with feta and basil. Serve hot.

Questions?

Can I make this ahead for meal prep?

Yes! This pasta holds up well. Store it in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to bring back that creamy sauce texture.

Can I cook the pasta separately instead of cooking it in the skillet?

Yes, however it won't be as creamy. Cooking the pasta in the broth is what gives it that delicious creamy texture.

What if the pasta ins't cooked once all the liquid is done?

No worries! Just add more broth until pasta is cooked to al dente.