Name: One Pot Spaghetti
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage or ground turkey); 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce; 3 cups water or broth; 12 ounces spaghetti, broken in half; Optional: ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for garnish

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I Love This Recipe Because It’s Simple, Delicious, And Only Requires One Pot. No need to boil the pasta separately or dirty multiple pans. The spaghetti cooks right in the sauce, absorbing all the flavor and creating a rich, thick consistency that tastes like it simmered for hours. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes, and I can customize it easily with whatever I have on hand.

Ingredients

(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Small Onion, Diced
3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Lb Ground Beef Or Italian Sausage (Optional)
1 Can (28 Oz) Crushed Tomatoes
3 Cups Chicken Or Vegetable Broth
12 Oz Spaghetti (Uncooked)
1 Tsp Italian Seasoning
½ Tsp Salt
¼ Tsp Black Pepper
½ Tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)
½ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (For Serving)
Fresh Basil Or Parsley, For Garnish (Optional)

Directions

I Start By Heating Olive Oil In A Large Pot Or Dutch Oven Over Medium Heat. I Add The Onion And Cook For 3–4 Minutes Until Soft, Then Stir In The Garlic.
If I’m Using Meat, I Add It Now And Cook Until Browned, Breaking It Up With A Spoon As It Cooks.
I Pour In The Crushed Tomatoes And Broth, Stirring To Combine. Then I Add The Uncooked Spaghetti, Breaking It In Half If Needed To Fit The Pot.
I Add The Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper, And Red Pepper Flakes, Stirring Everything Together.
I Bring The Mixture To A Boil, Then Reduce The Heat To Medium-Low And Simmer Uncovered For 12–15 Minutes, Stirring Frequently To Prevent The Pasta From Sticking.
Once The Pasta Is Cooked And The Sauce Has Thickened, I Remove It From The Heat And Let It Sit For A Few Minutes.
I Top With Grated Parmesan And Fresh Herbs Before Serving.

Servings And Timing

This Recipe Makes 4–6 Servings. It Takes About 10 Minutes To Prep And 15–20 Minutes To Cook, So I Can Have Dinner Ready In Just 30 Minutes.

Variations

Sometimes I Swap The Ground Beef For Ground Turkey, Or Skip The Meat Altogether For A Vegetarian Version. I Also Like Adding Sliced Mushrooms, Bell Peppers, Or Spinach To Sneak In Extra Veggies. For a creamy version, I stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta right at the end.

Storage/Reheating

I Store Leftovers In An Airtight Container In The Fridge For Up To 4 Days. To Reheat, I Add A Splash Of Broth Or Water And Warm It On The Stove Or In The Microwave. The Pasta Will Thicken in the fridge, so the extra liquid helps loosen it back up.

FAQs

Can I Use A Different Type Of Pasta?

Yes, But I Adjust The Cook Time Depending On The Shape. Short Pasta Like Penne Or Rotini Works Well—just watch the liquid and stir often.

What If My Sauce Gets Too Thick?

I Add A Bit More Broth Or Water To Loosen It Up. Pasta Soaks Up A Lot Of Liquid As It Cooks.

Can I Make It Spicy?

Absolutely. I Add Extra Red Pepper Flakes Or A Dash Of Hot Sauce For Heat.

Do I Need To Stir Constantly?

Not Constantly, But I Stir Every Few Minutes To Prevent The Pasta From Sticking To The Bottom Of The Pot.

Can I Freeze This?

I Prefer Eating It Fresh, But It Freezes Well For Up To 2 Months. I Let It Cool Completely, Store It In Airtight Containers, And Reheat With A Bit Of Extra Liquid.

Conclusion

This One Pot Spaghetti Recipe Is A Lifesaver On Busy Days. It’s Rich, Flavorful, And Comes Together With Minimal Cleanup. Whether I’m Cooking For Family Or Just Want A Quick Homemade Meal, This Is The Kind Of Comfort Food That Always Hits The Spot—without the pile of dishes.