Dirty Spaghetti

Name: Dirty Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Bell Peppers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped; 1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped; 1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 2 lbs ground beef; 1 tbsp paprika; 1 tbsp onion powder; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp seasoned salt; 1 lb spaghetti; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 cup beef broth; 1 packet Sazon seasoning; 2 bay leaves; Freshly ground black pepper, for garnish; Garlic knots, for serving

Dirty spaghetti is a savory pasta dish that merges the flavors of classic dirty rice with spaghetti, featuring seasoned ground beef, colorful bell peppers, and onions in a richly spiced sauce. It's a straightforward, flavorful weeknight meal that comes together quickly.

🌍American 🏷️Dirty spaghetti 🏷️Spaghetti 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Ground beef Bell peppers

🏷️

🏷️Weeknight dinner

-0:00

TikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$34–$56

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 lbs ground beef
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp seasoned salt
1 lb spaghetti
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup beef broth
1 packet Sazon seasoning
2 bay leaves
Freshly ground black pepper, for garnishoptional
Garlic knots, for servingoptional

19 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Chop the red, orange, and yellow bell peppers, and the yellow onion.
2
In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground beef.
3
Season the beef with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt. Break up the meat and cook until browned.
4
While the beef is browning, cook the spaghetti in a separate pot of boiling water according to package directions.
5
Once the beef is browned, add the chopped bell peppers and onion to the pot.
6
Stir in the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes.
7
Sprinkle the cornstarch over the mixture and stir to combine, allowing the sauce to thicken.
8
Pour in the beef broth and stir.
9
Add the Sazon seasoning packet and bay leaves. Stir well and let the sauce simmer.
10
Drain the cooked spaghetti and add it directly to the pot with the meat sauce.
11
Toss everything together until the spaghetti is fully coated in the sauce. Remove bay leaves before serving.
12
Serve hot, garnished with extra red pepper flakes and black pepper if desired. Pairs well with garlic knots.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef on medium-high heat without crowding the pan; work in batches if necessary to develop color and flavor before adding vegetables.
Chop all bell peppers and onions to roughly the same size so they cook evenly and distribute throughout the dish.
Toast the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt together briefly as the beef cooks to bloom the spices and deepen their flavor.
Taste the sauce before combining with pasta and adjust seasoning; paprika and salt are the dominant flavors, so balance them to your preference.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or ground chicken (use 2 lbs; cook slightly longer as these are leaner)
Bell peppers (any color) → diced celery or zucchini (maintains texture; flavor will be milder)
Seasoned salt → kosher salt plus a pinch of black pepper (adjust quantity to taste)
Paprika → smoked paprika (adds deeper, smoky flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.

Common Questions

Can I use a different pasta shape instead of spaghetti?

Yes. Penne, rigatoni, or any medium pasta works well. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the shape.

How do I prevent the ground beef from clumping?

Break it into small pieces as it browns over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. This ensures even cooking and a loose, crumbly texture.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Cook the sauce separately, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, then reheat gently and toss with freshly cooked pasta.

What if I don't have all three bell pepper colors?

Use whatever colors you have on hand, or substitute with green bell peppers or even diced celery for texture without changing the core flavor.

How do I know when the dish is done?

The ground beef should be fully browned with no pink remaining, and the sauce should be heated through. The pasta should be cooked to your preferred doneness.