Transform your weeknight dinners with Skillet Spaghetti, a quick and delicious meal made entirely in one pot! Say goodbye to multiple pots and pans, as this fuss-free dish combines tender pasta, ground beef, juicy tomatoes, and Italian seasonings, all cooked together to perfection.
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What Makes the Skillet Spaghetti the Perfect Weeknight Dinner
Pasta is a great option when you need to get something on the table quickly. But admit it, most jarred sauces don't taste all that great, and no one wants to spend an evening scrubbing a pasta pot.
Skillet Spaghetti delivers a unique flavor and cooking style that is simple in the kitchen and a hit in the dining room. While this one pan pasta may be closer to Cincinnati Chili than classic Bolognese, it is a real weeknight dinner game changer.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
The name of the game when it comes to this one pot spaghetti recipe is simplicity. With only one skillet to wash and almost no babysitting required, this dish is perfect for those busy nights when you have better things to do than hang out in the kitchen.
While the ingredient list may not be the shortest, you'll find most of them in a well-stocked pantry. That makes this meal perfect for when you can't go to the grocery store but still want a hearty and satisfying homemade dinner.
One Pan Spaghetti Ingredients
For this recipe, you'll need:
- White onion
- Garlic
- Ground beef
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Tomato juice
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Oregano
- Dry spaghetti
Ingredient Notes
A plain tomato sauce like Hunt's is best, but you can also use a flavored version.
Other types of pasta are okay to use in this recipe, but the thickness will determine how long you'll need to cook it in the sauce. Stay away from thicker varieties of pasta to prevent having to add more cooking liquid.
How to Cook Spaghetti in a Skillet
To prepare this one pot spaghetti recipe:
- Place a large skillet or rondeau over medium-high heat.
- While the pan is heating up, dice the white onions into small pieces and mince the garlic.
- Put the ground beef into the pan and break it up with a cooking spoon. Allow the meat to brown. Then drain off most of the fat, leaving a tablespoon or two behind. Return the pan to the stovetop.
- Add the diced white onions and minced garlic to the pan. Saute until fragrant.
- Dump in all the remaining ingredients except the spaghetti and stir well to combine.
- Cover the pan and bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the sauce for half an hour. Stir from time to time to prevent sticking.
- Lay the spaghetti on top of the sauce and stir well. It is okay to break up the pasta slightly, but separating it is essential to prevent clumps of noodles.
- Simmer until the noodles cook through, about 20 to 30 minutes. Since you are not boiling the pasta, you can't go by the cooking time on the package. It's a good idea to check if the pasta is done after about 15 minutes.
Possible Recipe Variations
Making Skillet Spaghetti your own is a snap by switching or adding ingredients. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started:
- Replace the tomato juice with beef stock for less tang and a beefier taste.
- Substitute other types of meat for the beef. Ground pork, turkey, and chicken are all options.
- Remove the chili powder for a more traditional flavor.
What to Serve With One Pan Spaghetti
Anything you usually enjoy with pasta is a good choice. Diners will appreciate garlic bread and a simple side salad.
To help balance out the meal, offer a side of roasted vegetables. Roasted Brussels Sprouts add a unique earthy sweetness that works well. If you're a cheese person, try sprinkling shredded cheddar over the top to add some ooey-gooey goodness.
How to Store Skillet Spaghetti
To save extra one pan spaghetti, cool it to room temperature and transfer the cooled pasta to an airtight container. Put the pasta in the fridge for up to three days, but remember the spaghetti will continue to soak up the sauce, so try to reheat it as soon as possible.
You can cut dinner prep time in half by making a batch of the sauce in advance and freezing it in an airtight container. Let the sauce thaw overnight before adding the spaghetti and cooking as above. The frozen sauce will last about a month.
What Is the Best Way to Reheat Skillet Spaghetti
Reheating one pot pasta in the oven works very well:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Transfer the pasta to a casserole dish and sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of water over the top.
- Wrap the casserole dish tightly in aluminum foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until hot. Start checking the pasta after 10 minutes and give it a little stir to ensure it is heating evenly.
Skillet Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 8 ounces dry spaghetti
Instructions
- Break up the ground beef in a large skillet. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the spaghetti. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the spaghetti and stir. Cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes.
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