Description
One Pot Spaghetti with savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and al dente noodles. Easy, satisfying, and perfect for a quick family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454g) spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 pound (454g) lean ground beef (optional)
- 1 can (28 oz/800g) crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups (710ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Base Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent but not browned. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant. If you’re including ground beef in your One Pot Spaghetti, add it now and cook until no pink remains, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Step 2: Create Your Cooking Liquid Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth, then add the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine everything, making sure to scrape any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil—this is your flavorful cooking medium for the pasta.
- Step 3: Cook The Pasta Once the liquid is boiling, add the dry spaghetti. You might need to break the pasta in half to fit properly in the pot, though this is a matter of preference. Submerge the spaghetti in the liquid, and immediately begin stirring to prevent sticking. Reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cover the pot, but leave the lid slightly ajar to allow some steam to escape.
- Step 4: Monitor And Adjust Cook the One Pot Spaghetti for about 9-11 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. The pasta will gradually soften and absorb the flavorful liquid. As it cooks, the sauce will thicken naturally thanks to the starches released by the pasta. If the mixture seems too dry at any point, add a splash more broth. The finished dish should have pasta that’s tender but still with a slight bite, coated in a thick, clinging sauce.
- Step 5: Finish With Flavor Remove the pot from heat when the pasta is al dente. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, which will melt into the sauce and add a final layer of richness. Cover and let the One Pot Spaghetti rest for 2 minutes—this crucial resting period allows the sauce to be further absorbed and the flavors to settle. Give it one final gentle stir before serving, topped with additional Parmesan and torn fresh basil leaves.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 2 cups)
- Calories: 454 kcal per serving
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 835mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 60mg