This Easy Spaghetti Dinner is your answer to a quick, satisfying meal that the whole family will love. With a rich, meaty sauce and perfectly al dente pasta, it's a classic comfort food that comes together in just 30 minutes from start to finish.
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Made with simple ingredients you likely already have, this recipe is budget-friendly and endlessly customizable. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, you'll appreciate the straightforward steps and the delicious results.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
12 oz (340g) spaghetti
Use any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine. For a gluten-free option, try chickpea or rice spaghetti.
1 lb (450g) ground beef
Ground turkey or Italian sausage work great. Choose 85% lean for a good balance of flavor and moisture.
1 medium onion, finely chopped
Yellow or sweet onion. Shallots can be used for a milder flavor.
3 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh garlic is best, but 1 teaspoon of garlic powder can substitute in a pinch.
1 (28 oz / 800g) can crushed tomatoes
Use San Marzano tomatoes for a sweeter, richer sauce. Crushed tomatoes give a smooth texture; diced tomatoes can be used if you prefer chunkier sauce.
1 (15 oz / 425g) can tomato sauce
This adds extra richness and helps thin the sauce. You can replace with 1.5 cups of water plus 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Italian seasoning or a mix of basil and thyme can be used. Fresh herbs can be added at the end for a brighter flavor.
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Fresh basil, about 2 tablespoons chopped, can be stirred in at the end for a pop of freshness.
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
Kosher salt is preferred. Adjust according to your dietary needs.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Freshly ground pepper gives a better flavor. Pre-ground works too.
1 tablespoon olive oil
For sautéing. Can use vegetable or canola oil.
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano is best. Store-bought shredded works as well.
Tips & Tricks
Don't overcook the pasta
cook it al dente according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes. It will continue cooking slightly in the sauce.
Season in layers
add a pinch of salt to the pasta water, and season the meat sauce at each step for a more complex flavor.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency. The starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
Pro Tips
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the spaghetti
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat (212°F/100°C). Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
2. Brown the beef
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (350°F/175°C). Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Sauté aromatics
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Add tomato sauces
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat (200°F/93°C).
5. Simmer the sauce
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld. The sauce should be rich and slightly reduced.
6. Combine pasta and sauce
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if the sauce seems too thick. Cook for 1-2 minutes over medium heat (250°F/121°C) until the pasta absorbs some sauce and everything is heated through.
7. Serve and garnish
Remove from heat. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Delicious Variations
Vegetarian
Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms and zucchini.
Spicy
Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes with the garlic for a kick.
Cheesy
Stir in 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone into the sauce before serving for extra gooeyness.
How to Store Spaghetti Dinner
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce, or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to make spaghetti dinner?
This recipe takes 30 minutes from start to finish, including prep and cooking. The active prep is about 15 minutes, and the cooking is about 15 minutes.
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey works beautifully. Use 93% lean to keep it moist, and add a tablespoon of olive oil if needed since turkey is leaner.
Q: Can I make this spaghetti dinner gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply use gluten-free spaghetti or your favorite gluten-free pasta. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Q: How can I make the sauce less acidic?
Add a pinch of sugar or a grated carrot to the sauce while it simmers. This balances the acidity without altering the flavor much.
Q: Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use about 4 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes. Simmer them longer, about 20-25 minutes, until they break down and thicken.
We hope this Easy Spaghetti Dinner becomes a staple in your home. If you tried it, let us know in the comments below—we'd love to hear how it turned out!
Spaghetti Dinner
Easy Spaghetti Dinner: a 30-minute one-pan meal with savory meat sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and family-approved.
🧂 Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz / 800g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz / 425g) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
📋 Instructions
- 1Cook the spaghetti — Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat (212°F/100°C). Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- 2Brown the beef — While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (350°F/175°C). Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- 3Sauté aromatics — Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- 4Add tomato sauces — Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat (200°F/93°C).
- 5Simmer the sauce — Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld. The sauce should be rich and slightly reduced.
- 6Combine pasta and sauce — Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if the sauce seems too thick. Cook for 1-2 minutes over medium heat (250°F/121°C) until the pasta absorbs some sauce and everything is heated through.
- 7Serve and garnish — Remove from heat. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
