One Pot Spaghetti Recipe with Ground Beef (2024)

Meet your culinary lifesaver: One Pot Spaghetti Recipe with Ground Beef. Packed with straightforward ingredients, it’s whipped up in just one pot in less than 30 minutes! Robust and bursting with flavor, it’s the ultimate hustle for hectic weeknights but it’s also perfect for parties. Brace yourself, because this dish may just be your new go-to masterpiece.

Why You’ll Love This Spaghetti with Ground Beef Recipe

If you know us, you know we’re unabashed enthusiasts of one pot meals, and with recipes like our One Pot Parmesan Pasta, One Pot Mac and Cheese, One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese, we’ve got endless options to choose from. However, this easy spaghetti with ground beef is one we come back to again and again.

Satisfying and bursting with flavor, it’s a hit with both the little ones and the grown-ups! After all, with tender spaghetti noodles, savory beef, and a hearty spaghetti sauce, what’s not to love?

As if that wasn’t convincing enough, this recipe:

• Comes together with minimal ingredients you probably already have on hand.
• Requires minimal prep time, has a quick cook time, and requires a total time of less than 30 minutes.
• Stores well and tastes even better the next day.
• Can be enjoyed on its own or paired with all your favorite sides and appetizers.
• Is super versatile and can easily be bulked up with extra spices and ingredients to satisfy all your cravings and dietary needs.

What Do I Need to Make Ground Beef Spaghetti?

As mentioned, this one pot spaghetti comes together with just a few pantry staples, making it a great budget-friendly option. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Spaghetti – We use regular wheat spaghetti noodles, but you could also opt for whole grain or gluten-free noodles if you prefer.
• Beef – We prefer to use a slightly fattier beef such as an 80/20% cut for a bit more flavor, but whatever you like best tastes great.
• Onion – Once cooked, onions caramelize and add a slightly sweet flavor that cuts the acidity of the pasta sauce, making for the most incredible spaghetti.
• Seasonings – In order to enhance the rest of the ingredients, we included garlic cloves, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. You could also substitute a premade Italian seasoning blend instead.
• Pasta Sauce – To save time, we use a store-bought marinara sauce, but feel free to make your own!
• Beef Stock – We use this in place of water to infuse the noodles with a rich, savory flavor.

Should I Use Ground Beef or Ground Chuck for Spaghetti?

Ground beef is ground chuck! At least in percentages of 80/20, which we recommend for this spaghetti with beef.

If you want to use leaner ground beef, you can. Just note that your spaghetti won’t be quite as flavorful.

What’s the Difference Between Spaghetti Sauce, Marinara Sauce, and Pizza Sauce?

Spaghetti sauce, marinara sauce, and pizza sauce are made with similar ingredients but have distinct tastes and textures.

• Spaghetti sauce (also known as pasta sauce) is typically made with crushed tomatoes and includes basic seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic powder. As a result, it has a fairly thin consistency and can easily be adjusted to suit your flavor preferences.
• Pizza sauce is made with pureed tomatoes that create a sort of paste. Unlike other sauces, pizza sauce is almost always cooked on a crust of sorts instead of being used as a dip or to coat pasta and other ingredients.
• Marinara sauce is made with peeled, finely chopped tomatoes that are blended into smooth chunks but not completely pureed. It is often infused with roasted garlic and cooked over simmering heat.

Note: Marinara sauce is often referred to as pizza sauce, but they aren’t the same things!

Flavor Add-Ins and Variations

Ready to unleash your inner kitchen artist? Go ahead and play around with various add-ins and twists. Consider this sauce your blank culinary canvas and experiment with other ingredients like:

• Using ground turkey or sausage instead of beef.
• Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicier spaghetti.
• Sautéeing chopped veggies such as onions and mushrooms along with the beef for a super nutritious dinner.
• Incorporating crushed tomatoes for a chunkier texture.

Simple Steps for the Easiest Spaghetti Recipe with Ground Beef

Gone are the days of dirtying up several pots and pans trying to brown your beef, cook your sauce, and boil your pasta. Once you make this one pot spaghetti with ground beef you’ll never go back!

1. Brown the Beef. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and brown the meat until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
2. Combine the Ingredients. Drain any excess fat, and add the onion, garlic, and seasonings. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until the mixture is fragrant. Then, add the remaining ingredients.
3. Simmer. Reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer until the noodles are al dente and the sauce has thickened.
4. Enjoy! Divide your spaghetti with beef into bowls or plates, add plenty of Parmesan cheese, and dig in while it’s warm.

Tips for Success

Just when you thought this recipe couldn’t get any simpler, we’ve got you covered with extra tips and tricks to guarantee you always have success!

• Simmer and Stir. Set the pot over medium-low heat, and stir it frequently as the ingredients cook so nothing burns. You want the liquid to come to a gentle simmer to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Use a Heavy-Bottomed Pot. Using a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven will help distribute the heat more evenly, preventing the ingredients from burning and helping them cook evenly.
• Adjust the Consistency. Feel free to adjust the consistency of the sauce to your liking. For instance, to thicken the sauce, you can stir in a slurry of equal parts cornstarch and water. Or, to thin it out, add a bit more water or broth.
• Add Sugar. Be sure to give your spaghetti with beef a taste test! If it has more acidity than you like, stir in a pinch of sugar, and taste it again.

What Goes with One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef?

Of course, you can never go wrong with spaghetti and garlic bread! However, if you want to switch things up, or if you’re looking to make a complete spread, we also love to pair this dish with sides and appetizers like:

• Greek salad
• A side of chickpea hummus and pita bread
• Cucumber and tomato salad
• Crockpot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
• Cheesy Garlic Knots

How to Store and Reheat

This ground beef spaghetti recipe is great to make ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week or keep on hand for those times when you need dinner in a pinch.

• To Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, and keep them stored in the fridge for up to two days.
• To Freeze: Allow your spaghetti to cool completely. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and keep it frozen for up to three months.
• To Reheat: Let your spaghetti thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, warm leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.

Common Questions About This One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef

More One Pot Recipes

If you enjoy this one pot spaghetti with ground beef, you won’t want to miss out on more of our spaghetti variations below!

• Oven Baked Mediterranean Spaghetti
• Easy Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti Recipe
• One Pot Greek Spaghetti
• Easy Spaghetti Pizza Bake