One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef at the Table

A pot full of one pot spaghetti recipe with ground beef topped with Parmesan cheese.

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 standout hustle for hectic weeknights but it’s also reliable for parties. Brace yourself, because this dish may just be your new go-to masterpiece.

(Looking for more ground beef recipes? Try our ground beef Philly cheesesteak and cheesy ground beef sliders, too!)

overhead image of one pot spaghetti recipe with ground beef in a large pot topped with shaved Parmesan.

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 simple 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 speedy 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 go-to 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.

overhead image of a large pot with cooked ground beef, chopped onions, and garlic.

overhead image of a large pot full of beef, onions, and tomato sauce to make one pot spaghetti.

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 finest 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!

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.
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.
Simmer. Reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer until the noodles are al dente and the sauce has thickened.
Enjoy! Divide your spaghetti with beef into bowls or plates, add plenty of Parmesan cheese, and dig in while it’s warm.

overhead image of one pot spaghetti with ground beef in a large pot topped with fresh herbs and shaved Parmesan cheese.

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:

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.

overhead image of two white bowls full of one pot spaghetti recipe with ground beef.

Common Questions About This One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef

Do you cook the pasta before adding it to the pot?

Nope, and that’s the magic! The dry spaghetti goes right into the pot with the sauce and cooks as everything simmers together. It absorbs all that flavor and saves you from washing an extra pot—win-win!

What kind of ground beef is finest for one pot spaghetti?

Lean ground beef (like 85% or 90%) works great—it adds rich flavor without making the dish greasy. If you use something fattier, just drain off the excess after browning before adding your sauce and pasta.

Can I make this recipe with ground turkey or chicken instead?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works like a charm and makes it a little lighter. Just be sure to season well since those proteins are milder in flavor than beef.

How do you keep the pasta from sticking together?

Make sure it’s fully submerged in the liquid as it cooks, and give it a stir every few minutes to keep everything moving. The sauce thickens up beautifully as the pasta releases its starch.

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!

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 6 servings

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 18 mins
Total: 23 mins

Prepare this one pot spaghetti with ground beef with ten ingredients and less than 30 minutes for the standout simple comfort food! Email

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 large onion chopped
3 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 pound pot-sized spaghetti noodles
4 cups low-sodium beef stock
16 ounces good quality pasta sauce
Optional: Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

Set a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat on the stove. Add the beef, and cook until no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks.1 pound lean ground beef
Drain the fat.
Add the onion, garlic, and seasonings. Stir until fragrant.1 large onion, 3 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Add the remaining ingredients (dry spaghetti noodles, beef stock, and sauce), and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 16-18 minutes or until noodles are al dente and the sauce has thickened.1 pound pot-sized spaghetti noodles, 4 cups low-sodium beef stock, 16 ounces good quality pasta sauce
Serve warm topped with Parmesan cheese, if desired.Optional: Parmesan cheese for topping
Store in the fridge for up to two days or in the freezer for up to three months.