Have you ever wanted to make a veggie-packed pasta dish, only to be discouraged by the amount of time it takes to make pasta AND steam the veggies? Well friends, I am about to change the game here, because this simple and easy kitchen hack will teach you how to steam your veggies AND cook your pasta, all at the same time! The best part is, you won’t have to dirty any additional dishes to make this work. It’s the easiest one-pot hack!
Friends, I’m going to be totally honest with you: when my boys walk through the door after school, my house turns into a space of chaos. Between managing after school snacks, to running back and forth between sports practices, I need to find a way to get a healthy, nutritious, and delicious meal on my boys’ plates within just a few minutes.
One of their favorite dishes, like most kids, is pasta. In fact, if I fed them a bowl of simple pasta with butter and parmesan cheese every single day, they would be the happiest kids on earth! But because I want them to grow up strong and healthy, I have to make sure they get their vegetables in, too. That’s where this hack saves the day.
The Easiest One-Pot Dinner Hack
It’s time to say goodbye to all of the dishes that come with making pasta recipes, because this hack is so simple and easy! This is perfect to use any time that you are making pasta, and want to include steamed vegetables (of any type) with it as well.
Simply boil a large pot of water on the stove and cook your pasta according to the directions on the package. Then, place a cooling rack on top of the pot, and place your veggies on top of the cooling rack.
Next, place the lid of the pot, or an upside down pan, on top of the veggies so they’re fully covered, and allow them to rest for 7-8 minutes.
Once the time is up, remove the lid (or the pan), and your veggies will be perfectly steamed! When they’re done, place them to the side, strain your pasta, plate, and serve! It truly is as simple as that!
What Veggies Does This Hack Worth With?
You might be wondering what veggies this hack works well with, and the good news is… it really works with all vegetables!
I’ve tested this recipe out with broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, and sweet potatoes, and they all turn out perfect. This hack truly is foolproof!
I recommend testing this out first with broccoli, and making my Shrimp Broccoli Caesar pasta. It’s a unique and delicious dish, and you can easily steam the broccoli florets (instead of sautéing them), in order to make this dish a little quicker and easier!
Or, pick your favorite veggies and incorporate them into another dish. I love adding in vegetables to my Simple Lemon Garlic Pasta to make it a little more nutrient-dense, or to my Restaurant Style Creamy Red Pepper Pasta for a healthy dish that the whole family enjoys!
I hope you guys love this simple and easy kitchen hack! If you decide to try it out, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And if you post to Instagram, I repost your remakes on my IG stories! Enjoy! xx
Ingredients
- 1 Package Pasta of Choice
- Vegetables of Choice
Instructions
- Start by boiling a large pot of water on the stove and cook your pasta according to the package directions.
- Next, place a cooling rack on top of the pot of pasta.
- Place your veggies on top of the cooling rack, then cover with the lid or with an upside down pot.
- Let steam for 7-8 minutes, then remove the lid / pot.
- Strain the pasta, then plate and serve!
Recipe In Action
Rate & review
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What others are saying
SO HELPFUL!!!!
Woohoo! I am thrilled to hear that, Kathy! Thank you so much for trying it out!
Truly obsessed with the chicken and rice combo, but this one is next LEVEL 🫠
I am so happy you enjoyed it, Lacey! Thank you for trying it out!