Ingredients
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 pound Ground Beef (80/20)
1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 28-ounce can Crushed Tomatoes
2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
1 pound Dried Spaghetti
4 cups low sodium Beef Broth
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon Dried Basil
1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped
for serving Parmesan Cheese, grated
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the pot with the browned beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic bur
- Build the Sauce Base: Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well, ensuring the tomato paste is fully incorporated into the mixture
- Add Pasta and Liquid: Break the dried spaghetti noodles in half if they do not fit completely in your pot. Add them to the pot, spreading them out as much as possible. Pour in the beef broth. Ensure the spaghetti is mostly submerged in the liquid. Gently stir everything to combine
- Simmer and Cook: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir the spaghetti every 3-5 minutes to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure even cooking. If it seems too dry, add a splash more broth or water
- Check for Doneness: Continue cooking until the spaghetti is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite) and most of the liquid has been absorbed. The sauce should be thick and clinging to the pasta. Remove the pot from the heat
- Rest and Serve: Let the One Pot Spaghetti Recipe rest, covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld further and the sauce to thicken slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy your homemade One Pot Spaghetti Recipe!
Notes
Choose the Right Pot: Use a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven (at least 5-6 quarts). A heavy bottom ensures even heat distribution and prevents sticking. A lid is essential for simmering and trapping steam, which helps cook the pasta perfectly.
Break the Spaghetti: Do not be afraid to break your spaghetti in half if it does not fit easily into your pot. This helps ensure all the noodles submerge in the liquid from the start, allowing them to cook evenly.
Stir Frequently: This is crucial! Stirring every few minutes prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot and clumping together. It also ensures the pasta cooks evenly and absorbs the sauce beautifully.
Adjust Liquid as Needed: The amount of liquid can vary slightly based on your specific pot, heat, and even the pasta brand. If the spaghetti appears too dry before it is cooked through, add a small splash of hot broth or water (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) until it reaches the desired consistency. Conversely, if it is too watery at the end, remove the lid and simmer for an extra minute or two to reduce the sauce.
Do Not Overcook: Keep an eye on your pasta during the last few minutes of cooking. You want it al dente, not mushy. Once it reaches your preferred texture, remove it from the heat immediately.
Season as You Go: Taste the sauce after adding the crushed tomatoes and before simmering. Adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings. You can always add more, but you cannot take it away.
Fresh Garlic is Best: While garlic powder works in a pinch, fresh minced garlic provides a much more robust and authentic flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: N/A
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg