One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
A hearty Italian comfort dish combining tender beef, ripe tomatoes, and herbs in a single pot with al dente pasta. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, spaghetti, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 diced onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups crushed canned tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add beef, onion, and garlic. Cook 8-10 minutes until beef browns and onions soften.
- Step 2: Stir in tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then add spaghetti. Cook 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Remove from heat. Stir in parsley. Serve immediately, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better one pot dishes though.
