One Pot Protein Pasta

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5 from 11 ratings

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Combining red lentil pasta with garlicky sauteed kale, this super easy one-pot camping meal delivers a ton of protein while still being completely vegetarian.  

This one pot pasta is an easy camping meal that delivers a big vegetarian protein punch. One pot, 20 minutes, and fewer than 10 ingredients.

After thoroughly exploring St. George and Zion National Park, we drove east to the red rock arches of Moab, UT. Southern Utah is filled with some of the most spectacular rock formations in the world, and we were once again floored by how awesome the landscape was when we got there.

Friends sitting around a campfire with a camper van in the background
As fate would have it, our paths once again crossed with our friends Brandt & Monika (IG @
CodeTravelers) who have a sweet 4×4 Sprinter van! It was high season in Moab and the crowds from Salt Lake and Colorado had descended upon the area, so we were lucky to find a campsite at Lower Onion Creek, just across from the famous rock spire: Fischer Rock. In what is quickly becoming a tradition between us, Brandt & Monika picked up the campsite and we volunteered to cook dinner.

Megan tearing open a package of pasta
While the City Market grocery store in Moab is totally adequate, the recent influx of weekend warriors had reduced the selection greatly. So we had to take what we could and rely on our camping pantry for the rest. We had been carrying around a bag of red lentil penne pasta for awhile and wanted to give it a try.

Camp cooking. This one pot pasta is an easy camping meal that delivers a big vegetarian protein punch. One pot, 20 minutes, and fewer than 10 ingredients.

We recently learned how much protein red lentils contain (a whole bunch!) and felt they would make a great base to a one-pot pasta dish. Since we don’t have a cooler to store meat, sometimes we have to get a little creative with how we get our protein. But red lentils just might be the answer!  

This one pot pasta is an easy camping meal that delivers a big vegetarian protein punch. One pot, 20 minutes, and fewer than 10 ingredients. This one pot pasta is an easy camping meal that delivers a big vegetarian protein punch. One pot, 20 minutes, and fewer than 10 ingredients.

Back at camp, we sauteed some kale with garlic in our cast iron skillet. Once that was ready, we removed and put it to the side. We hate straining pasta out in the field (who takes a colander camping?) so we decided to cook the pasta right in the sauce. Not only does this reduce the hassle – and potential catastrophe – of disposing of a couple of liters of boiling water, but it also adds flavor to the pasta and makes a more delicious tasting sauce (especially if you use a homemade marinara!). Plus, it means one less dish to clean at the end!

This one pot pasta is an easy camping meal that delivers a big vegetarian protein punch. One pot, 20 minutes, and fewer than 10 ingredients. This one pot pasta is an easy camping meal that delivers a big vegetarian protein punch. One pot, 20 minutes, and fewer than 10 ingredients.

The meal was ready in no time and gone in just about the same. As the sun began to set, turning the red rock cliffs into a deep fiery crimson, we felt full, content, and thankful. Sharing a good meal with good friends, in a spectacular place like this is what camp cooking is all about. More of this, please!

Michael cooking on a camping stove with red rocks in the background



Pasta topped with cheese in a cast iron skillet over a campfire

One Pot Protein Pasta

Tomato sauce, red lentil pasta, and garlicky kale make up this protein-packed one-pot meal. Choose a vegetarian-friendly or vegan alternative cheese for a filling meal everyone around your campfire will enjoy!
Author: Fresh Off The Grid
5 from 11 ratings
Pin for later
Print Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
4 servings

Equipment

  • 10" Skillet
  • Knife + Cutting Board
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Measuring Cups + Spoons

Ingredients

FOR THE KALE

  • 1 head kale, destemmed and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

FOR THE PASTA

  • 1 (23 oz) jar tomato sauce, + 2 cups water
  • 10 oz lentil pasta
  • ¼ cup cheese, (omit to make this recipe vegan)

Instructions

  • Cook the kale: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, and the red pepper flakes over in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the kale, garlic, and salt and saute until the kale is tender. Remove the kale from the skillet and set aside.
  • Cook the pasta: Add the tomato sauce and water to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add the pasta and cook for the time recommended on the package, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring frequently to ensure the pasta cooks evenly. Stir the cooked kale into the sauce to warm and take the skillet off the heat.
  • Assemble and serve: Sprinkle cheese over the top, if using, and serve.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 350kcal

*Nutrition is an estimate based on information provided by a third-party nutrition calculator

Main Course
American, Camping
This one pot pasta is an easy camping meal that delivers a big vegetarian protein punch. One pot, 20 minutes, and fewer than 10 ingredients. This one pot pasta is an easy camping meal that delivers a big vegetarian protein punch. One pot, 20 minutes, and fewer than 10 ingredients.

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5 from 11 votes (11 ratings without comment)
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KJ | Omnomherbivore
KJ | Omnomherbivore

You guys are so lucky you scored a spot on the bend!! We’ve been shut out every single time and had to opt for KOA or backcountry! This pasta looks delicious and super filling – perfect for after a long day of hiking 🙂

KJ | Omnomherbivore
KJ | Omnomherbivore

btw… totally love whatever plugin you used for the “click to pin this” banner!! 😀

Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate
Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate

Now, this is something I’d make at home!

Helen Levin
Helen Levin

Nice, I used the pin button 🙂 This looks delicious and easy. I never thought about cooking the pasta in the sauce. We have more indoor space than you guys (and a colander!) but I still can’t justify boiling a pot of water in our trailer in the summer. I will definitely try this!

Beth
Beth

This looks absolutely scrumptious. I just found your website/blog and am so excited to follow you guys!

Denise
Denise

I made this with spinach and regular pasta noodles (couldn’t find lental). The family liked it. Very fast to make and love the one pot.
Thanks for the recipe.

L
L
Reply to  Denise

Sounds good but without lentil pasta keep in mind it is missing the extra protein which was specific to this recipe. ????

Carly
Carly

This took a lot longer to cook the noodles than the recommended time, but it was really good! I added mushrooms to the kale mixture and dried mushrooms to the tomato sauce as well as a splash of balsamic and I’m so very very happy with how it turned out!!! Will for sure make again, awesome vegan meal!

Carly
Carly
Reply to  Carly

It was the Trader Joe’s Organic Red Lentil Sedanini. Either way, it got made as part of prep for the week and it was absolutely delicious! It kept well in the fridge and the pasta stayed tender and flavorful. Thank you so much for the awesome inspiration for that recipe! I will definitely make again!

Elaine
Elaine

Camping with another family this weekend (4 adults/3kids total) and gonna try this out since one is vegan, 3 vegetarian, and others are meat eaters. Im doing a trial run at home first to gage my quantities for more ppl than the original recipe asks for. Wish me luck!