Pasta with Potatoes (pasta e patate)

Pasta with potatoes is the ultimate cucina povera dish (or peasant food), that is transforming a few basic and inexpensive ingredients into a flavorful satisfying dish, all in one pot! It’s the perfect last minute dinner recipe.

Pasta with potatoes is what you make when you don’t have much on hand in the refrigerator or pantry and want a quick, yet satisfying and nourishing meal ready in little time. Just 5 simple ingredients, mostly pantry staples, are all you need!

But don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean that this potato pasta dish is lacking in flavor. You’ll be amazed how few ingredients can create such a flavorful dish with a creamy texture. It is also known as pasta and potato soup, however it is thick enough to serve with a fork!

This Italian pasta and potatoes recipe is quite typical of Southern Italy and one that my mother often recreated for us when I was a child.

And yes, I know, two carbs in one dish is absolutely sinful, right? But yet, they work so incredibly well in several dishes such as white beans and potato soup (pasta e fagioli); pasta with peas and potatoes or broccoli and potato soup with pasta. Pure comfort food, Italian style!

Why this recipe works:

• It requires only 5 simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry right now.
• This is a one pot recipe (aside from a small sauce pan for simmering water in), and that means less clean up!
• You can have a simple yet satisfying dinner on the table in just over half an hour.
• Although quite basic, it can be endlessly adapted to suit your taste as well as according to ingredients you may have on hand! (see Variations and Substitutions section further below).
• And most importantly, there is absolutely no one that doesn’t love pasta!

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe

• Good quality olive oil.
• One small onion: finely diced.
• Tomato: either a fresh, very ripe tomato or canned tomatoes will do (whole, diced or puréed).
• Potatoes: peeled and cut into small cubes.
• Pasta: any variety however I prefer small shaped pasta such as ditalini; tubettini; elbow macaroni or even a mix of odds and ends of pasta in your pantry.
• Simmering water: as much as needed to cook the potatoes and pasta. Add more water for a ‘soupier’ dish or less if you prefer a thicker consistency.
• Salt and pepper, to taste.
• Plenty of grated Parmigiano or Pecorino Romano cheese for serving.

The following are step by step instructions with images to guide you through this recipe. Please scroll to the end of this post for the detailed printable recipe card.

Step by Step Instructions

• Bring 5 cups of water to a simmer in a small sauce pan. You may not necessary use all, or you may add more if necessary.
• Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan. Add a diced onion and sauté on medium high heat until soft and golden, about 5 minutes.
• Add cubed potatoes, a pinch of salt, and cook stirring to coat the potatoes in the oil, for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, a pinch of salt, and cook for 2 minutes longer.
• Add 2 cups of simmering water or enough to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook covered for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
• Uncover and add the pasta, a pinch of salt and 1 cup of water. Cook at a gentle boil, stirring frequently until the pasta is al dente.

• Add more simmering water, as needed, to cook the pasta and according to taste. If you want a thicker pasta with potatoes add less water, for a ‘soupier’ version add more water.
• Correct the seasoning. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top and serve hot with grated Parmigiano or Pecorino Roman cheese.

Pro tip: Ladle simmering water into your soup until you have the desired consistency. Adding cold water will immediately halt the cooking process.

Recipe Notes

Here are more quick and easy pasta dinner ideas for you to check out!

• Pasta with Peas and Potatoes
• Sicilian Cucuzza with Pasta
• Creamy Chickpeas with Pasta
• Pasta with Ricotta
• Spaghetti with Oven Fried Zucchini
• Pasta with Breadcrumbs
• Pasta with Chickpeas in Tomato Sauce
• Pasta with Broccoli
• Pasta with Tuna and Peas in a Cream Sauce