Dirty Spaghetti

Name: Dirty Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Peppers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 oz spaghetti; 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced; 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced; 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced; 1/2 tsp seasoning blend (like Morton Nature's Seasoning); 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning; 1/2 tsp spicy Italian seasoning; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 6-7 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3 cups beef broth; 1-2 cups reserved pasta water; Hot sauce, for serving

Dirty Spaghetti is a savory, spiced ground beef pasta tossed with sautéed peppers and onions in a rich beef broth gravy. Its standout trait is the cajun and spicy Italian seasoning blend that gives it depth and a gentle heat.

🌍American 🏷️Dirty spaghetti 🏷️Spaghetti 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Ground beef Beef broth

🏷️

🏷️Bell pepper

-0:00

whatsmomcookinonTikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by whatsmomcookin

-0:00

whatsmomcookinonTikTok

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
1/2 tsp seasoning blend (like Morton Nature's Seasoning)
1/2 tsp cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp spicy Italian seasoning
1 pinch cayenne pepperoptional
1 tbsp tomato paste
6-7 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups beef broth
1-2 cups reserved pasta water
Hot sauce, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
Boil spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1-2 cups of the starchy pasta water.
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula.
3
Add the diced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and yellow onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook until softened.
4
Season the mixture with the seasoning blend, cajun seasoning, spicy Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir to combine.
5
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
6
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
7
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the meat mixture and stir to coat everything. Cook for 3-4 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
8
Slowly pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook until it thickens.
9
Add the drained, cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce.
10
Pour in about 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss everything together. Continue to stir and add more pasta water as needed until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
11
Taste the spaghetti and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve hot, with an optional drizzle of hot sauce.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly before adding vegetables to develop deeper flavor and render out excess fat.
Dice all vegetables uniformly so they cook evenly and distribute consistently throughout the sauce.
Simmer the sauce for at least 10–15 minutes after adding beef broth to let the spices meld and the sauce reduce slightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning at the end—beef broth saltiness varies by brand, so season conservatively.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or ground lamb (reduces richness slightly)
Red and green bell peppers → diced zucchini or mushrooms (adds earthiness)
Beef broth → chicken broth (lighter flavor, still works well)
Morton Nature's Seasoning → garlic salt or seasoned salt (adjust quantity to taste)

Storage & make-ahead

Store the cooked sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop and toss with freshly cooked pasta; do not store pasta mixed with sauce as it becomes mushy.

Common Questions

Can I make Dirty Spaghetti ahead of time?

Yes. Cook the sauce and store it separately from the pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop and toss with freshly cooked or reheated pasta.