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Easy One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe

Easy One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Tender spaghetti cooks directly in a rich tomato and ground beef sauce for a comforting dinner with minimal cleanup. Parmesan and fresh parsley add a flavorful finishing touch.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 pound Lean ground beef
  • 1 small Small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
Sauce and Pasta
  • 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
  • 14.5 ounces Diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups Low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
  • 12 ounces Dry spaghetti, broken in half if needed
For Serving
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, then cook for 5 to 7 minutes while breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
  2. Drain excess fat if necessary, especially if the beef is not very lean. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper, and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and low-sodium broth. Add the dry spaghetti and press it down into the liquid as much as possible.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes so the spaghetti does not stick together or settle on the bottom.
  5. Continue cooking until the spaghetti is tender and the sauce has thickened. If the pasta remains firm, add a small amount of water or broth and cook a little longer.
  6. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve each portion with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Keep the spaghetti mostly submerged and maintain a gentle simmer after adding it. Stir frequently because one-pot pasta releases starch quickly and can stick or clump. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a splash of broth or water.