Description

This One Pot Lightly Creamy Pasta combines whole wheat spaghetti with fresh vegetables, creamy Camembert cheese, and fragrant basil for a wholesome, easy-to-make meal. Cooked all in a single pot, this recipe offers a flavorful vegetarian pasta dish that’s both comforting and nutritious.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Cheese

1 pound Whole Wheat Spaghetti
1 package Camembert
Parmesan Cheese, to taste

Vegetables and Herbs

1 cup Fresh Basil Leaf (divided into ½ cup + ½ cup)
13 Cremini Mushrooms
10 Roma Tomatoes
2 cups Frozen Peas and Carrots
1 Shallot
3 cloves Garlic

Other Ingredients

3 Vegetable Bouillon Cubes
Olive Oil, as needed
5 cups Water
Sea Salt, to taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: Add olive oil as needed to a large pasta pot and heat on low. Add the chopped shallot and cook for 1 minute until softened. Add minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release their aroma.
Cook Mushrooms: Add the cremini mushrooms along with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to the pot. Stir and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until mushrooms begin to soften and brown.
Add Tomatoes and Basil: Stir in the Roma tomatoes and half of the fresh basil leaves (½ cup). Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the tomatoes start to break down. Add the vegetable bouillon cubes and continue stirring frequently for 1 minute to dissolve the cubes.
Cook Pasta and Vegetables: Pour in 5 cups of water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the whole wheat spaghetti and stir to prevent sticking. When there are 5 minutes remaining in the pasta’s cooking time, add the frozen peas and carrots. Cook until the pasta is al dente.
Finish with Cheese and Basil: Turn off the heat, add the remaining ½ cup fresh basil leaves and the Camembert cheese. Stir well until the cheese melts and creates a lightly creamy sauce. Cover the pot with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes to meld flavors. Stir again before serving.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with additional basil leaves and sprinkle Parmesan cheese to taste. Serve warm and enjoy your nutritious one-pot creamy pasta!

Notes

Use whole wheat spaghetti for added fiber and nutrients compared to regular pasta.
The Camembert cheese adds a subtle creaminess; substitute with Brie if unavailable.
Adjust the amount of water to ensure the pasta cooks properly without becoming too soupy.
Season to taste with salt and pepper at the end as needed, considering the saltiness of the bouillon cubes and cheese.
This recipe can be made vegan by substituting the Camembert and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
Letting the pasta sit covered after cooking allows the cheese to melt thoroughly and flavors to blend better.

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

Keywords: one pot pasta, creamy pasta, whole wheat spaghetti, vegetarian pasta, Camembert pasta, easy dinner, healthy pasta recipe