One Pot Spaghetti Recipe with Meat Sauce

INTRODUCTION

One pot spaghetti recipe revolutionizes traditional Italian-American favorite by cooking noodles directly in rich meat sauce, eliminating separate boiling pot and colander while creating superior flavor impossible when components cook apart. This one pot spaghetti with meat sauce delivers perfectly al dente pasta coated in thick, savory marinara where every strand absorbs seasoned tomato and beef essence throughout cooking process. The strategic technique browns ground beef first building flavor foundation, then dry spaghetti simmers in sauce and broth breaking down gradually while releasing starches that naturally thicken marinara to ideal consistency clinging beautifully to noodles. Fresh garlic, Italian herbs, and quality tomatoes create authentic taste rivaling hours-long Sunday gravy in fraction of time and effort.

The brilliance of this easy one pot spaghetti lies in simplified process and enhanced results—pasta cooking in seasoned sauce rather than plain water means every bite carries deep flavor from center to surface. Unlike traditional method requiring large pot of boiling water, separate pan for sauce, and colander creating kitchen chaos, this streamlined approach uses single deep skillet from start to finish saving time, energy, and cleanup effort. The result delivers classic spaghetti and meat sauce ready in just 25 minutes with minimal active cooking time and superior taste that proves revolutionary techniques sometimes surpass traditional methods. This recipe joins our collection of easy one pot meals demonstrating how single-pot cooking transforms weeknight dinners into stress-free satisfaction.

One Pot Spaghetti Recipe with Meat Sauce

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Classic spaghetti and meat sauce where pasta cooks directly in rich marinara creating superior flavor without boiling water separately or draining noodles.

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 lb dried spaghetti, broken in half
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
• 3 cups beef or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves, torn
• Extra parmesan for serving

 

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

• Heat olive oil in large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add ground beef breaking apart with wooden spoon.
• Cook beef 5-7 minutes until no pink remains and deeply browned.
• Transfer cooked beef to plate, leaving fat in pan.
• Reduce heat to medium and add diced onion to drippings.
• Sauté onion 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
• Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
• Stir constantly 30-60 seconds until garlic is fragrant.
• Return beef to pan and stir to combine.
• Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, broth, sugar, and bay leaf.
• Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Bring to boil then reduce to steady simmer.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Break spaghetti in half and add to simmering sauce.
• Press pasta into liquid with wooden spoon.
• Stir immediately to separate strands.
• Cook according to package directions (9-11 minutes), stirring every 2-3 minutes.
• Add broth if sauce becomes too thick before pasta is done.
• When pasta is al dente, remove and discard bay leaf.
• Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese.
• Add torn basil leaves and stir gently.

 

• Let rest 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Use large deep skillet (12 inches wide, 3 inches deep minimum)
• Brown beef properly for flavor foundation
• Don’t skip caramelizing onions – adds sweetness
• Pasta should be slightly underseasoned before cooking
• Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking
• Sauce thickens from pasta starches – no flour needed
• Add liquid if sauce gets too thick during cooking
• Pasta continues cooking after heat removed
• Fresh basil adds authentic Italian flavor

 

• Leftovers thicken – add broth when reheating

• Author: David Cooper
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: One Pot
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
• Calories: 465 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 745 mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 55mg

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS

Meat Sauce Base:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for best flavor)
• 1 medium yellow onion diced small
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Sauce & Pasta:

• 1 lb dried spaghetti broken in half
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
• 3 cups beef or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste for depth
• 1 teaspoon sugar balancing acidity
• 1 bay leaf adding subtle flavor

Finishing Touches:

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves torn
• Extra parmesan for serving
• Fresh parsley chopped (optional)

FOOLPROOF ONE POT METHOD

Meat Sauce Foundation: Heat olive oil in large, deep skillet or Dutch oven (at least 12 inches wide, 3 inches deep) over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add ground beef breaking it apart with wooden spoon into small crumbles. Cook beef 5-7 minutes without stirring initially, allowing bottom to brown and develop fond—these caramelized bits create flavor foundation. Once bottom browns, break beef into smaller pieces and continue cooking until no pink remains and meat achieves deep brown color throughout. Use slotted spoon to transfer cooked beef to plate, leaving rendered fat in pan for sautéing aromatics that carry essential flavor.

Aromatic Building: Reduce heat to medium and add diced onion to beef drippings in skillet. Sauté onion 3-4 minutes stirring occasionally until softened and translucent with edges beginning to brown slightly. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, stirring constantly 30-60 seconds until garlic becomes fragrant but not browned—burnt garlic creates bitter taste. Return cooked ground beef to pan, stirring to combine with aromatics ensuring even distribution throughout sauce base.

Sauce Development: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, sugar, and bay leaf to skillet stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly. The tomato paste adds concentrated umami depth while sugar balances natural acidity of tomatoes creating well-rounded flavor. Bring mixture to full boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to steady simmer that will cook pasta properly without violent bubbling that breaks noodles. Season sauce with salt and black pepper tasting and adjusting—remember pasta will absorb seasoning so sauce should taste slightly oversalted at this stage.

Revolutionary Pasta Cooking: Break dried spaghetti in half to fit skillet better and add directly to simmering sauce, pressing noodles gently into liquid with wooden spoon or tongs. Stir immediately to separate strands and prevent clumping, ensuring all pasta pieces submerge in sauce. Cook spaghetti according to package directions (typically 9-11 minutes), stirring every 2-3 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. As pasta cooks, it releases starches that thicken sauce naturally creating creamy consistency without adding cream or flour. If sauce becomes too thick before pasta reaches al dente texture, add additional broth or water 1/4 cup at a time. Conversely, if too much liquid remains when pasta finishes cooking, increase heat slightly and simmer uncovered 2-3 minutes allowing excess moisture to evaporate.

Final Assembly: When spaghetti reaches al dente texture with slight bite remaining in center, remove bay leaf and discard. Remove skillet from heat—residual heat will continue cooking pasta slightly so stopping at perfect al dente prevents overcooking. Stir in grated parmesan cheese allowing it to melt into hot sauce creating extra richness and savory depth. Add torn fresh basil leaves stirring gently to distribute without bruising delicate herbs. Let spaghetti rest 2-3 minutes before serving, allowing sauce to thicken further and flavors to meld together creating cohesive dish.

CREATIVE SERVING AND STORAGE

Serving Suggestions: Serve one pot spaghetti immediately in shallow bowls for best presentation, twirling portions into nests that showcase sauce-coated strands. Top each serving with extra grated parmesan, fresh torn basil, and crack of black pepper for restaurant-quality finish. Garlic bread alongside soaks up extra sauce while simple green salad with Italian vinaigrette provides fresh contrast to rich pasta. This complete meal needs no additional sides making weeknight dinner effortlessly satisfying.

Storage Guidelines: Store leftover spaghetti in airtight container refrigerated up to 4 days. Pasta absorbs sauce as it sits, becoming thicker when cold—reheat gently on stovetop adding splash of broth or water to restore proper consistency, or microwave in 1-minute intervals stirring between until heated through. Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently with added liquid to refresh texture.

CONCLUSION

This one pot spaghetti recipe demonstrates how cooking pasta directly in meat sauce creates superior flavor and texture while dramatically simplifying traditional preparation method. The revolutionary technique where noodles absorb seasoned tomato and beef essence throughout cooking produces deeply flavorful result impossible when pasta boils separately in plain water. Whether feeding busy families on hectic weeknights, meal prepping for week ahead, or seeking impressive yet achievable comfort food, this reliable recipe proves that classic Italian-American dinner welcomes everyone to table with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction. For more inspiring single-pot dinners, explore our complete collection of easy one pot meals featuring pasta variations, chicken dishes, beef meals, and comforting soups that transform weeknight cooking into stress-free success.