One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Name: One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 bell pepper, diced; 1 lb sweet Italian sausage; 1 lb ground beef; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 12 oz spaghetti; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

This one-pot spaghetti combines ground beef and Italian sausage in a rich meat sauce that cooks directly with the pasta, delivering restaurant-quality flavor in 30 minutes with zero extra dishes.

🌍Italian-American 🏷️One-pot pasta 🏷️Spaghetti 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Ground beef Italian sausage

🏷️

🏷️Weeknight dinner

-0:00

TikTok

Total

40 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 lb sweet Italian sausage
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato pasteoptional
12 oz spaghetti
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishoptional
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
2
Add the diced onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
3
Add the ground beef and sweet Italian sausage to the pot. Use a meat chopper or spoon to break it up and cook until browned.
4
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and minced garlic. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
5
Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Add the tomato paste if using, and stir to combine.
6
Cover the pot and bring the sauce to a boil.
7
Add the spaghetti noodles to the pot, breaking them in half if desired. Submerge them in the liquid as much as possible.
8
Cover the pot again, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
9
Once the pasta is cooked through, give it a final stir to combine everything.
10
Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the sausage and beef thoroughly before adding liquid so the meat develops flavor rather than steaming; break it into small pieces as it cooks.
Stir the pasta frequently (every 1–2 minutes) during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even hydration.
Taste the pasta 1–2 minutes before the package suggests, since one-pot cooking can vary; it should be al dente, as carryover cooking continues after heat is off.
Add pasta water gradually if the sauce becomes too thick near the end; the starch helps thicken the sauce while loosening dried-out bits.

Substitutions

Sweet Italian sausage → hot Italian sausage (for spice) or 8 oz Italian sausage + 8 oz ground pork (for milder flavor)
Worcestershire sauce → soy sauce or balsamic vinegar (1 tsp each adds umami and depth)
Fresh garlic → 1 tsp garlic powder (if mincing fresh is inconvenient; reduce garlic powder in the ingredient list to 1/2 tsp total)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if the sauce has thickened.

Common Questions

Can I use only ground beef instead of a beef and sausage blend?

Yes, use 2 lbs ground beef total. The sausage adds mild Italian seasoning and fat; if using only beef, consider adding an extra half teaspoon of Italian seasoning for depth.

How do I know when the pasta is done in one-pot spaghetti?

Stir frequently and taste starting at 8 minutes. The pasta should be tender but still slightly firm; residual heat will continue softening it after you remove the pot from the stove.

What type of spaghetti works best?

Standard dry spaghetti works well. Thin or angel hair pasta may overcook; thicker cuts like bucatini hold up better to the one-pot cooking method.

Can I make this ahead and reheat?

Yes. Cool completely, refrigerate up to 3 days, and reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to restore sauce consistency.

Do I need to brown the meat separately?

No. Break up the ground beef and sausage as you add them directly to the pot with aromatics; they'll brown in the olive oil as the dish comes together.