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A steaming bowl of One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, garnished with fresh basil, ready to be served.

One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: Our Secret Soffritto Boost!

Master one-pot spaghetti with our unique soffritto twist for richer flavor! Quick, easy, and minimal cleanup, this recipe provides foolproof tips for perfect pasta every time, making it an ideal weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 500
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Soffritto Base (Our Secret Twist!)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 1 medium carrot finely diced
  • 1 stalk celery finely diced
For the One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb. ground beef (or other ground meat of choice, see notes)
  • 24 oz. jarred marinara sauce (I used Rao's)
  • 4 cups water
  • 16 oz. dried spaghetti (or other pasta, see notes)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (more if needed)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (more if needed)
  • cracked black pepper (for serving, optional)
  • parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)
  • olive oil (for serving, optional)
  • crushed red pepper (for serving, optional)

Equipment

  • 6-quart Dutch oven or large heavy pot with a lid
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. In your Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft and slightly caramelized.
  2. Once your soffritto is ready, add the 1 lb. ground beef to the pot. Brown the meat until fully cooked and crumbled apart.
  3. Add the 24 oz. jarred marinara sauce, 4 cups water, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt to the pot. Stir everything together well.
  4. Now, for the star of the show! Add the 16 oz. dried spaghetti to the pot, breaking the noodles in half as you go. Push the noodles down to submerge them in the liquid as best you can.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 15 minutes total. During this time, it's crucial to stir the pasta every five minutes (a pair of tongs works wonderfully for this).
  6. After 15 minutes, taste a strand of spaghetti for doneness. Turn off the heat, cover the pot again, and allow it to sit for 5-10 more minutes. This crucial resting period lets the pasta finish cooking gently.
  7. Dish out your incredible One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce. Serve with optional garnishes like fresh cracked black pepper, a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, a luxurious drizzle of olive oil, and/or a pinch of spicy crushed red pepper, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 4mg

Notes

This recipe emphasizes flexibility: experiment with ground turkey, sausage, or plant-based meats, and choose your favorite quality marinara. While water is suggested, beef or vegetable broth can add depth. Remember to break spaghetti in half for even cooking and stir frequently (every 5 minutes) during the simmer. The crucial 5-10 minute rest period off-heat ensures perfect pasta texture and a wonderfully thick sauce.
For optimal results, a 6-quart heavy-bottomed Dutch oven with a lid is highly recommended. Leftovers store well in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat best with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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