A healthy vegetarian one pot white bean pasta recipe made with leeks, asparagus, lemon and gruyere. Ready in 30 minutes and only one pot to wash up!
It’s MAY!! I am so happy I could dance. The flowers are popping up, the grass is green, there has been a TON of backyard deck lounging, and we are only just getting started, because it’s only MAY!!
We…err…Ben has been working hard on getting our backyard in tip top lounging condition. Translation: he has built us a shade wall, since we get the sun beaming down so intensely in the middle of the day that it gets WAY too hot for lounging.
Not only that, but he came home with super comfortable chairs and an outdoor couch. I am so excited for everything to get put into place, of course I’ve been madly searching Pinterest for deck decor ideas (that’s my area of expertise, ha ha!). I can’t wait to have the perfect backyard lounging oasis!!
So with all of time we’ve been spending outdoors, when it comes to dinner, no one wants to be stuck in the kitchen. So I have a SUPER easy, nutritious and deceptively creamy pasta recipe for us: one pot white bean pasta with leeks and asparagus! It is YUUUUM!
Ever since I got on the one pot pasta train, I haven’t looked back. No more extra dishes for me, so much extra flavor, and the perfect creamy texture that makes you feel like you’re eating something that has a ton of cream in it, when really, it doesn’t.
Today I have one pot white bean pasta for us because a) I am working to add more vegetarian recipes to the blog, b) you guys went cray-zeee for this One Pan Gnocchi with Sundried Tomatoes and White Beans and c) white beans + leeks + gruyere cheese is pretty much heaven. You heard it here first.
Leeks are my secret weapon in this recipe to make things extra creamy…they kind of just melt into the pasta, and you barely notice them except for that delicious flavor boost they add.
And in addition to the leeks, this one pot white bean pasta contains a whole bunch of asparagus. That brings the veggie count to a grand total of 5-6 cups packed into this pasta, but you’d never guess it!
This white bean pasta recipe is ready in under 30 minutes. Here’s how it goes: Cook up the pasta in some stock with the leeks and asparagus until cooked through (10 or so minutes). Stir in some lemon juice, the gruyere cheese, and white beans.
That’s it. Seriously!
Hope you are having a wonderful Monday!! Come back and see me on Thursday, I’m bringing us a SUPER delish Caesar salad remix, and you don’t want to miss it!!
One Pot White Bean Pasta with Leeks and Asparagus
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried pasta smaller shapes work well
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 cups leeks chopped (1 large leek)
- 1 bunch of asparagus ends trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup gruyere or swiss cheese shredded
- 19 oz white beans drained and rinsed
Instructions
- In a medium pot, add the dried pasta, stock, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, leeks and asparagus.
- Cover and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, and cook (covered), stirring every 2 or so minutes, for 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.
- Remove from heat and add the lemon juice, cheese and white beans. Stir until the cheese is melted through and serve.
Jill
I made this with gluten free red lentil elbow pasta and it was wonderful! I started the broth and veggies first since the pasta cooks fast. So quick and easy, perfect for after work dinners. Thank you!
Denise
So happy to hear it worked with lentil pasta, Jill! Did you use the same water: pasta ratio? Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
bonnie
Looks great, but I don’t have access to asparagus- what do you think would be a good substitute? Thanks
Denise
Hi Bonnie! You could just increase the leeks instead? Or I bet mushrooms or zucchini would be tasty in this recipe. Hope you enjoy!
Tiffany Floyd
I made this and it’s amazing. I used an entire 12oz box of veggie rotini, and in turn used about 1/2 cup more vegetable stock (same as vegetable broth!) And it was perfect. It reminds me of eating asparagus with hollandaise sauce, definitely making again.
Denise
Hi Tiffany! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks so much for reporting back 🙂
Amy
I have to admit that when I first saw this recipe I wasn’t sure how it would go over with my husband. It looks delicious to me, but my husband doesn’t love lemon. I made this on Monday, and it was a huge hit. It was so creamy, and tasty. I couldn’t wait to eat the leftovers the next day. And, with a one-year-old son in tow, I really love how easy it was to make. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Denise
Hi Amy! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂 Thanks so much for reporting back!
Aaron
So I thought you meant 2cups of pasta as in a 16oz bag. Which totally ruins the recipe. Nobody else make the same mistake
Denise
Uh-oh, sorry for the confusion, I will weigh out 2 cups of the pasta I used and add the weight in oz.
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
I need to get on the same train you’re on, Denise!? How did I miss it…. both! The recipe and outdoor lounging! This recipe is so easy, yet packed with deliciousness. What a great idea! I’m all for outdoor lounging, but haven’t invested at all in a backyard lounging oasis. I’ve got a simple set up now, but a couch?! I need an umbrella too… Thank you for the nudge!
Zainab
I’m all about one pot dishes! This veggie loaded one will be great addition to the weekly rotations.
Denise
I just hate washing dishes, so I’m all about the one pot meals 😉 Thanks, Zainab!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
I love me some pasta! I could eat it every day!! I’ve only made a one pot pasta once in my life so that definitely needs to change, starting with this recipe. It sounds scrumptious!
Denise
Ever since I made one pot pasta, I have a hard time cooking the sauce and pasta separately…the pasta just absorbs so much flavor when it cooks with everything! Thanks, Jen!
Manali@CookWithManali
I need to make one pot pastas more often, this sounds so wonderful Denise, love all the flavors!
Denise
Thanks, Manali! One pot pasta is the best 😀
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven
I’m one-pot pasta’s BIGGEST fan! I seriously need this carby goodness in my life ASAP today! Looks like the perfect spring comfort food to me. 😉
Denise
Yay! Team one pot! LOL thanks, Sarah!
annie
Wow! This looks so creamy and wonderful and PERFECT for busy nights. You totally got sneaky with the leeks there — by looking at it, I would never guess that it only has one cup of cheese. Will definitely be trying this soon.
Denise
Sneaky leeks…it almost rhymes! Thanks so much, Annie 🙂
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
I love one pot pastas and don’t make them nearly often enough. This looks so tasty so I definitely need to try it – I never think of adding leeks to things but they’re so good! It’s been super hot here this week too – can’t believe it’s only May!
Denise
Thanks, Stacey! It is SO unseasonably warm here, we (& Ft Mac!!) really need some rain soon!
Marcie
I’ve definitely been on the one pot pasta train for a while and I love this! This is right up my alley with some of my favorite veggies ever, and Gruyere cheese is just the best!
Denise
YES! One pot pasta is totally a staple in our rotation now. Love how much flavor it gets! I can’t go back to the other way of cooking it 🙂
Medha
This white bean pasta looks so delicious and creamy! Love the leeks 🙂 Pinning!
Denise
Leeks are SO tasty, aren’t they? Thanks, Medha!