Easy One-Pot Spaghetti Recipe That’ll Make Dinner a Breeze

Whipping up a delectable pot spaghetti doesn’t require culinary wizardry or complicated techniques.

This one-pot marvel simplifies dinner prep with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

Pasta enthusiasts appreciate how quickly ingredients meld together in a single cooking vessel.

The magic happens when noodles, sauce, and seasonings dance in harmonious synchronization.

Our streamlined approach ensures you can craft a restaurant-worthy meal without juggling multiple pots and pans.

Fragrant herbs and rich tomato notes will transport you straight to an Italian kitchen.

Each bite promises comfort and satisfaction that leaves everyone craving seconds.

Best Way To Store Leftover Pot Spaghetti

• Refrigerate leftover one-pot spaghetti in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Seal the dish tightly to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth to restore the sauce's original consistency.
• Avoid freezing this pasta dish, as the noodles can become mushy and lose their texture when thawed.
• For best flavor and quality, consume within 2-3 days of initial preparation.
• Gently stir the pasta while reheating to distribute heat evenly and prevent dry spots.
• Cool the spaghetti completely before storing to minimize condensation inside the container, which can make the pasta soggy.

Dishes That Pair With Pot Spaghetti

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Complement the rich, meaty spaghetti with a robust Chianti or Sangiovese that matches the tomato sauce's intensity and cuts through the beef's richness.
• Serve with Garlic Bread Sidekick: Create a perfect accompaniment by toasting crusty Italian bread with garlic butter, allowing diners to soak up every delicious sauce drop.
• Add Fresh Herb Salad Accent: Balance the hearty pasta with a light, crisp green salad featuring arugula, fresh basil, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette to provide a refreshing counterpoint.
• Choose Crisp Italian Beer Companion: Select a cold Peroni or Moretti to cleanse the palate and enhance the meal's savory Mediterranean flavors with its light, refreshing character.

Pot Spaghetti Swaps And Variations

• Spicy Southwest Pot Spaghetti: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning and ground beef. Add black beans, corn, and green chiles for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Veggie Pot Spaghetti: Swap ground meat for chickpeas or lentils. Incorporate spinach, artichokes, and kalamata olives. Season with oregano and feta cheese for a Greek-inspired meal.
• Creamy Mushroom Pot Spaghetti: Blend in sliced mushrooms during cooking. Add heavy cream and cream cheese for a rich, velvety sauce. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and extra Parmesan for depth.
• Seafood Pot Spaghetti: Replace ground meat with shrimp or crab. Use white wine instead of broth. Stir in fresh lemon zest and chopped parsley at the end for a light, bright seafood version.

Pot Spaghetti Questions—Quick Answers

• Why break the spaghetti before cooking?

Breaking the spaghetti helps it fit easily in the pot and ensures even cooking. It allows the pasta to be fully submerged in the sauce, creating a more uniform and delicious one-pot meal.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage. Each meat brings its own unique flavor to the dish while keeping the recipe versatile and exciting.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild kick, but you can control the heat level. Skip the flakes for a milder version or add more if you love spice. It’s totally customizable to your taste preferences.

• What if I don't have Italian seasoning?

No worries! You can create your own blend using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. These herbs will still give your pot spaghetti that classic Italian flavor profile.

Why Pot Spaghetti Wins Busy Weeknights

• Simplify Cooking: Whip up a delicious spaghetti meal using just one pot, minimizing cleanup and kitchen chaos while delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Speed Demon Dinner: Create a hearty, satisfying meal in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when time is tight and hunger is high.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily swap ground beef for sausage, adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes, or add extra cheese to make this recipe uniquely yours.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Kids and adults will love this classic pasta dish that's packed with protein, has a rich tomato sauce, and comes together quickly with minimal cooking skills required.

Ingredients List For Pot Spaghetti

• Ground Beef, Sausage: Rich meaty foundation that adds depth and heartiness to the one-pot meal, with ground beef offering a classic flavor and sausage providing a spicier alternative.

• Onion, Garlic: Essential base that builds a flavor-packed foundation, with sweet onions and pungent garlic creating a robust aromatic profile.

• Spaghetti: Classic long pasta that absorbs sauce beautifully and provides a satisfying texture, best when broken into smaller pieces for even cooking.

• Marinara Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Provides a tangy and rich tomato base with marinara offering a pre-seasoned sauce and diced tomatoes adding texture.
• Broth: Adds moisture and enhances overall liquid content, helping pasta cook evenly.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Creates a balanced spice profile with Italian seasoning offering herb complexity, salt enhancing flavors, black pepper adding warmth, and red pepper flakes bringing optional heat.

• Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Basil/Parsley: Parmesan adds creamy saltiness while fresh herbs provide bright, fresh notes to complete the dish.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking surface and subtle flavor foundation for initial ingredient sautéing.

Cooking Instructions For Pot Spaghetti Perfection

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown the Protein

• Heat a splash of olive oil in a large pot over medium flame
• Toss in ground beef or sausage
• Break the meat into tiny crumbles as it cooks
• Let the protein turn golden and develop a rich, caramelized exterior
• Sprinkle in chopped onions and minced garlic
• Stir and let the aromatics release their fragrant essence for a couple of minutes

Step 2: Create a Flavorful Sauce Base

• Pour in marinara sauce
• Add diced tomatoes
• Splash in some broth
• Shake in Italian seasoning
• Sprinkle salt and black pepper
• Toss a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick
• Gently stir everything together
• Allow the mixture to bubble softly

Step 3: Transform Pasta in One Magical Pot

• Break spaghetti noodles into smaller pieces
• Submerge the pasta into the simmering sauce
• Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid
• Let the pasta cook and absorb all the delicious flavors
• Stir occasionally to prevent noodles from sticking
• Check pasta tenderness after 12-15 minutes
• Remove from heat once pasta reaches perfect texture

Step 4: Final Flourish and Serving

• Sprinkle generous amounts of Parmesan cheese
• Taste and adjust seasonings if needed
• Scatter fresh basil or parsley on top
• Serve steaming hot directly from the pot
• Enjoy your one-pot wonder!

Top Tips For Tangle-Free Pot Spaghetti

• Quick Meat Browning Trick: Cook ground beef or sausage on medium-high heat to develop a rich, caramelized flavor that enhances the overall dish's depth.
• Perfect Pasta Submersion: Break spaghetti noodles in half before adding to ensure even cooking and complete sauce coverage throughout the pot.
• Seasoning Balance Technique: Start with less salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting gradually to prevent over-seasoning and maintain a harmonious flavor profile.
• No-Stick Pasta Hack: Stir frequently during cooking and use a wide pot to prevent spaghetti from clumping or sticking to the bottom.
• Vegetarian Swap Strategy: Replace ground meat with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu, lentils, or mushrooms for a protein-packed vegetarian version.

Pot Spaghetti Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy one-pot spaghetti delivers comfort straight from your kitchen, blending rich flavors with minimal cleanup. Home cooks will savor this simple Italian-inspired dish that combines convenience and deliciousness in one satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef or Italian sausage
• 8 ounces (8 oz) spaghetti

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• ½ small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (24 ounces) jar marinara sauce
• 3 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh basil or parsley

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Instructions

1. Create a flavor base by searing ground meat in a spacious pot, breaking it into crumbly bits until rich golden-brown edges develop.
2. Infuse aromatic depth by introducing finely chopped onions and minced garlic, allowing them to release their fragrant essence and soften slightly.
3. Pour marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and savory broth into the meat mixture, incorporating Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, cracked black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
4. Gently nestle broken spaghetti strands into the liquid, ensuring complete submersion and even distribution throughout the sauce.
5. Cover the pot and allow the pasta to simmer, occasionally stirring to prevent bottom sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
6. Monitor pasta texture, testing for al dente tenderness, which typically requires 12-15 minutes of gentle simmering.
7. Once pasta reaches perfect consistency, remove from heat and fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese for creamy richness.
8. Perform a final seasoning adjustment, tasting and adding salt or pepper as needed.
9. Elevate presentation by scattering fresh basil or parsley across the surface, creating a vibrant, inviting one-pot meal ready to be served immediately.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier protein option that reduces overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor.
• Break spaghetti noodles into smaller pieces before adding to ensure even cooking and easier serving in the one-pot method.
• Customize spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – start with a pinch for mild heat or add more for adventurous palates who enjoy bold flavors.
• For vegetarian version, swap meat with plant-based crumbles or extra mushrooms to create a hearty, protein-rich alternative that keeps the dish satisfying.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg