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One Pan, 30 Minute Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
This One Pan, 30 Minute Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is proof that sometimes the simplest dinners are the ones everyone loves the most. You’ve got seasoned ground beef, spaghetti, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce all cooking together in ONE pan—and yes, that means no separate pot of boiling water!
This is the kind of dinner I make on those nights when we have somewhere to be and I need something I know my whole family will actually eat. Everything comes together in about 30 minutes, there’s barely any cleanup, and nobody at my table is complaining—which might be the biggest win of all. 😂
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Equipment
- 1 Dutch oven or large, deep pan with sides
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef I use 80/20, any type works
- 1/2 white/yellow onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt more to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 24 oz Jar marinara sauce your favorite!
- 4 cups chicken broth or beef
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lb spaghetti, uncooked
- Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- In a large stock pot/Dutch oven on medium-high heat, add ground beef, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Cook, mixing occasionally, until the ground beef is browned (about 7 minutes).
- Stir in marinara sauce, chicken broth and heavy cream. Add uncooked spaghetti and be sure it is covered in the liquid as it begins to soften.
- Cover and bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan.
- Cook until pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened.
- Serve with fresh cheese and enjoy!
Nutrition
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @thecookingmawma and let me know what you think. My family loves it and I hope yours does, too!
Tips for Making This Recipe
- Stir the spaghetti often: Since the pasta cooks directly in the sauce, give it a good stir every few minutes—especially as it starts to soften. This keeps the noodles from clumping together and helps them cook evenly.
- Make it your own: Ground Italian sausage or ground turkey can easily be swapped for the beef. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days; add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to loosen the sauce.
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Take the pan off the heat as soon as the spaghetti is al dente. The pasta will continue soaking up the sauce as it sits, so cooking it too long can leave you with soft noodles and not enough of that creamy sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Do I need to cook the spaghetti before adding it?
What if my sauce gets too thick before the pasta is cooked?
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This turned out so much better than I expected. My toddler even ate seconds! It was delicious and I love that it only used one pot. Will definitely be making spaghetti this way from now on. Thank you!
So glad your family (especially toddler!) loved it!! Thanks for leaving a review. Xoxo
So easy and came out delicious!! Thank you!
Loved the flavor……I added more meat and 1 can of chopped tomatoes. Next time I will put 2 pounds of meat….. but this is a delicious recipe! Thank YOU!
I love the addition of more meat and the chopped tomatoes for a heartier dish! I’m so glad you loved it. Thank you so much for your review, it means the world to me. Xoxoxo
So easy and delicious. You have to try it!