It’s been a busy day, you are hangry and need to make dinner STAT before the hunger overtakes.
We’ve all been there and I am a big fan of this healthy one-pot pasta dish for a delicious meal that can feed the entire family quickly.
Made with less than 10 staple ingredients, this one-pot pasta dish is made in under 20 minutes including the cook and prep time. It is flavorful, easy to make, and uses pantry staples that most home cooks already have in their pantries.
Why you'll love this dish
This miso tomato one-pot pasta recipe works so well because it relies on two umami ingredients: miso paste and tomato.
These ingredients naturally contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a flavor enhancer. Because of this, we don’t need to add as many ingredients to make this dish super flavorful.
If you don't know what garam masala is, it is a fabulous spice with Indian origins that includes spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper.
The warm and spicy notes of garam masala complement the natural sweetness the carrots and onions. It adds a warming element to the overall dish which makes it feel even more satisfying and comforting.
This is a vegan pasta and can be made gluten-free depending on the type of pasta used. I used chickpea pasta in this recipe because it is higher in protein and fiber compared to normal pasta.
Ingredients
Flavorful and simple pantry staples that are needed to make this simple one-pot pasta.
Uncooked pasta of choice
I used chickpea pasta for additional fiber and protein but you can use regular pasta, whole wheat pasta, or lentil pasta for a gluten-free pasta.
Canned fire-roasted tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes
You can also use fresh tomatoes but since it is not tomato season yet, I opted for canned tomatoes.
White miso paste
Miso is one of my favorite ingredients to use because it adds so much flavor and umami to any dish. Since miso is naturally high in sodium, I did not add additional salt but feel free to adjust salt to taste.
Carrots
I love adding carrots to my meals because they are incredibly versatile and add a natural sweetness to the dish.
Onion
Red, yellow, white, vidalia, or any onion variety would work in this dish. If you don't have onion, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
Balsamic vinegar
My secret ingredient that I add to the end of cooking with almost all of my savory meals. It is sweet, acidic, and balances out every meal super well.
Tools used
Instant Pot
I used my Ninja Foodi instant pot, which is my favorite cooking appliance for easy and quick one-pot meals. You can also use a large dutch oven or heavy bottom pot to make this recipe but the cook time will vary.
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How to make this recipe
Add the carrots, onions, canned tomatoes, garam masala, liquid of choice (water or broth) to the instant pot. Cook on high for 10 minutes. Quick release pressure.
Dissolve miso paste in water until no clumps remain.
Add dried pasta and the miso paste dissolved in water into instant pot.
Turn the instant pot back on. Wait for pressure to build up in the instant pot. Once the instant pot builds pressure, turn the instant pot off. Wait for 1 minute before releasing pressure.
Add balsamic vinegar at the end of cooking.
Customize this recipe
Wilt fresh spinach at the end of cooking to easily add additional vegetables. Bell pepper or mushrooms would be a great addition.
Add minced garlic if you like a garlicky twist or red pepper flakes as additional spice.
Add additional proteins of your choosing. Cooked ground turkey, lean ground beef, grilled chicken breast, grilled salmon, air-fried tofu or canned chickpeas would be great additions.
Use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water.
Add sun-dried tomatoes in oil or parmesan cheese to the final dish for garnish and additional flavor.
Storage recommendations
This one pot pasta dish is perfect for meal prep.
Storage leftovers
Place any leftovers of the one pan pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about 4 to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pot on the stove. The pasta may have absorbed some of the pasta liquid. If this happens, add ¼ cup of water or broth to the pasta before reheating.
Freezing
Let the pasta cool completely and transfer it to a freezer-safe containers. Write the date on the container and freeze for up to 6 months.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy, allow the pasta to thaw completely and reheat in individual servings in the microwave or in a large pot on the stovetop. You’ll most likely want to add a bit of water to revitalize the sauce.
FAQS
What can I use if I don’t have miso paste?
If you don’t have miso paste, you can use 2 tablespoon of soy sauce as a replacement.
What can I use if I don’t have balsamic vinegar?
If you don’t have balsamic vinegar, you can use 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup.
What can I use if I don’t have garam masala?
If you don’t have garam masala, you can use use 1 tablespoon of curry powder instead.
Can I cook the pasta and the vegetables all at once?
No, cook the vegetables first in the instant pot for the best results. The carrots and onions take longer than the dried pasta to cook in the instant pot. If you cook the pasta with the carrots and onions, the pasta will be overcooked.
Healthy Instant Pot Miso Tomato Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice dried
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes canned
- 3.75 cups water the equivalent of 2 cans of tomatoes
- 1 medium carrot sliced
- ½ large onion diced
- 2 tablespoon white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon garam masla powder
- 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the carrots, onions, canned tomatoes, garam masala, and 2 cups of water (the equivalent of 1 can of tomatoes) to the instant pot. Cook on high for 10 minutes. Quick release pressure.
- Dissolve miso paste in the remaining water until no clumps remain.
- Add dried pasta and the dissolved miso paste in water into instant pot.
- Turn the instant pot back on. Wait for pressure to build up in the instant pot. Once the instant pot builds pressure, turn the instant pot off. Wait for 1 minute before releasing pressure.
- Open the instant pot and add balsamic vinegar and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
Notes
This healthy instant pot tomato miso pasta is a delightful and nourishing dish that perfectly balances flavors and nutrients.
If you've never thought about mixing tomato and miso together, it is such an underrated combination.
By incorporating the umami-rich miso paste and the tangy sweetness of tomatoes, this recipe elevates the traditional pasta experience to a whole new level.
If you're looking for more easy and nutritious one-pot meals, you'll love these recipes.
Stephen says
This recipe is delicious!