Description
Delightful one pot spaghetti combines classic Italian flavors with simple home cooking techniques. Pasta lovers will savor this quick, hearty meal that brings comfort and satisfaction to dinner tables everywhere.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti, broken in half
- 1 (24 oz/680 g) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14 oz/397 g) can diced tomatoes
- 3 cups (710 ml) beef broth (or water)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sizzling Base: In a large pot, heat olive oil and introduce ground beef. Crumble and sear the meat until golden-brown, releasing its deep, meaty flavor profile.
- Aromatic Infusion: Add onions, garlic, and seasonings to the meat. Sauté until the ingredients merge, creating a fragrant and robust flavor foundation that will elevate the entire dish.
- Liquid Symphony: Pour marinara sauce, beef broth, and diced tomatoes into the pot. Carefully submerge spaghetti strands, ensuring they’re completely covered without excessive agitation.
- Cooking Transformation: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook, occasionally stirring to prevent pasta from sticking, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex flavors.
- Final Flourish: Continue cooking until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture and sauce thickens to a luxurious consistency. Remove from heat and let the dish rest briefly, allowing flavors to intensify and harmonize before serving.
Notes
- Meat Browning Technique: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned and crumbly for maximum flavor development and to eliminate excess moisture.
- Liquid Balance Control: Add liquids carefully to prevent soggy pasta; the ratio of broth to pasta determines the final sauce consistency.
- No-Stir Pasta Strategy: Minimize stirring to prevent starch release and maintain a smooth, non-gummy texture throughout cooking.
- Resting Period Importance: Let the dish sit for 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to fully integrate and deepen.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg