3-Ingredient One-Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce
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Want a tasty meal without the fuss? Try this 3-ingredient one-pot pasta with meat sauce. You’ll love how simple it is to make. Just toss ground meat, marinara sauce, and pasta into a single pot, and you’ve got a delicious dinner in no time.
This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you don’t want to deal with lots of dishes. Plus, it’s sure to satisfy your hunger with its hearty flavors. Give it a shot and see how easy cooking can be!
Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)
For this simple one-pot pasta, you’ll need just three main ingredients:
- Ground meat (1 pound)
- Marinara sauce (24 oz jar)
- Pasta (16 oz)
Ground meat options:
- Ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
- Ground turkey
- Italian sausage
- Plant-based crumbles
Marinara sauce:
Use your favorite jarred sauce or make your own. Try different flavors like roasted garlic or tomato basil for variety.
Pasta choices:
- Spaghetti
- Penne
- Rotini
- Farfalle
You can also add extras to boost flavor:
- Diced onions
- Minced garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Optional toppings:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
- Red pepper flakes
Feel free to adjust amounts based on your preferences. This recipe is very flexible!
Instructions
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. This should take about 5-6 minutes.
Once the beef is cooked, add marinara sauce to the pot. Fill the empty marinara jar with water and add it to the pot too. Stir everything together.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the uncooked pasta and stir to combine. Lower the heat to medium-low and cover the pot.
Let the pasta simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta is done when it’s tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Remove the pot from heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken a bit.
Serve your one-pot pasta hot. You can top it with grated cheese if you like. Enjoy your easy and delicious meal!
Tips, Tricks & Storing
Break the spaghetti in half before adding it to the pot. This helps it fit better and cook more evenly.
Stir the pasta occasionally while it cooks to prevent sticking. A wooden spoon works great for this.
Don’t worry if the sauce looks thin at first. It will thicken as the pasta cooks and absorbs the liquid.
Try different pasta shapes like penne or rotini for variety. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
Add some veggies like diced carrots or spinach for extra nutrition. Toss them in with the meat as it browns.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day!
To reheat, add a splash of water and microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each. Or warm gently on the stovetop.
For easy freezing, portion into individual servings before storing. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to eat.