Description

This One Pot Spaghetti recipe is a quick and hearty meal combining ground beef, spaghetti, and a rich tomato-based sauce cooked all in one pot. The dish features savory seasonings and a creamy twist with optional cream cheese, delivering comforting flavors without the hassle of multiple pots or pans, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
1 small onion, diced
1 small bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings

½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon Italian Seasonings
Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquids and Sauces

2 ½ cups chicken broth (or beef broth)
14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
24 oz. marinara sauce
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (optional but recommended)

Pasta

½ pound uncooked spaghetti

Instructions

Cook the Meat and Vegetables: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef along with the diced onions until the meat is nearly cooked through. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the diced bell peppers, minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. Once cooked, transfer the meat mixture to a separate plate and drain any excess grease from the pot.
Add Broth and Pasta: Pour the chicken broth into the same pot. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen any browned bits stuck to the bottom for extra flavor. Bring the broth to a boil. Add the uncooked spaghetti noodles, using kitchen tongs to twist and submerge the noodles as they soften in the hot liquid.
Add Tomatoes and Sauces: Once the spaghetti has softened, stir in the undrained diced tomatoes. Then add the marinara sauce and softened cream cheese, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged under the sauce. Partially cover the pot and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally with a silicone spatula along the bottom to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender.
Combine and Serve: Return the cooked ground beef mixture back into the pot, stirring to combine and heat through. Serve the spaghetti hot, optionally accompanied by garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.

Notes

Using cream cheese adds a creamy texture and richness to the sauce but can be omitted if preferred.
Simmering the pasta uncovered might cause it to stick; periodically stirring and ensuring the pasta remains submerged helps prevent this.
You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner option.
For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth.
Adjust seasonings to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on the broth and sauce used.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: one pot spaghetti, easy spaghetti recipe, ground beef pasta, quick dinner, one pot meal