Description

This Easy One Pot Spicy Tomato Basil Pesto Pasta combines tender ground meat with robust Italian seasonings and smoky chipotle heat in a rich tomato sauce. Mixed with short-cut pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto, and parmesan, it creates a creamy, flavorful meal that is finished with fresh basil and creamy burrata cheese for an indulgent, comforting twist. Perfect for a quick, hearty weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasonings

1 pound ground chicken, turkey, or pork
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1–2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
1 teaspoon crushed fennel seed
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Chili flakes, to taste

Liquids and Sauces

2 (28 ounces) cans crushed tomatoes
Approximately 2 cups water
1/2 cup basil pesto

Pasta and Vegetables

1 pound short-cut pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh chopped basil or micro basil

Cheese and Garnish

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2–3 balls burrata cheese, at room temperature
Extra olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions

Brown the Meat: Heat a large pot over high heat and add the ground meat. Break the meat apart as it cooks. Once it starts to brown, add the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, chipotle chile powder, crushed fennel seed, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes. Continue cooking for about 8-10 minutes until the meat is fully cooked and the spices become fragrant.
Add Tomatoes and Pasta: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add approximately 2 large cups of water to the pot. Stir to combine, then mix in the dry short-cut pasta along with 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir occasionally and cook the pasta in the sauce and liquid mixture for about 8 minutes, ensuring the pasta cooks through but the water is not drained off.
Finish the Sauce: Stir in the basil pesto, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and grated parmesan cheese until the mixture becomes creamy and well combined. Remove the pot from heat and gently fold in the fresh chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve with Burrata: Divide the pasta into bowls. Tear the burrata cheese into pieces and distribute it over the top of each serving. Drizzle with extra olive oil and add a fresh crack of black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy, spicy, and flavorful one-pot pasta.

Notes

Use the meat of your choice—chicken, turkey, or pork all work well and adapt seasoning if needed.
Adjust the amount of chipotle chile powder and chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
Keep the pasta liquidy enough so the pasta cooks properly; do not drain after cooking.
Room temperature burrata melts beautifully over the hot pasta for extra creaminess.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: one pot pasta, spicy pasta, tomato basil pesto, burrata cheese, Italian pasta recipe, ground meat pasta