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Easy One-Pot Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and comforting one-pot spaghetti bolognese that comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, grated or finely diced
  • 28 oz (800 g) canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth or water
  • 8 oz (225 g) dry spaghetti, broken in half
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional), for garnish
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry red wine (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until shimmering.
  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and grated carrot and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Break it apart and cook until browned evenly with no pink spots, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the tomato flavor.
  6. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth (or water), dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
  7. Break the dry spaghetti in half and scatter evenly over the sauce in the pan. Press the pasta down gently but do not stir yet.
  8. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and let the pasta simmer in the sauce for 12 minutes. Every few minutes, gently lift a corner of the lid and stir to prevent sticking and break up clumps.
  9. Check the pasta for doneness after 12 minutes. If still firm, cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  10. Turn off the heat and stir in a handful of grated Parmesan cheese for creaminess.
  11. Let the dish rest covered for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
  12. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not stir the pasta immediately after adding it to the sauce; let it soak to absorb flavors and cook evenly. Use a wide pan to prevent noodles from clumping. Adjust liquid if pasta seems dry before fully cooked. Let the dish rest off heat to thicken the sauce. For richer flavor, add a splash of dry red wine after browning the meat. Non-stick pans ease cleanup; soak stainless steel pans immediately after cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, spaghetti bolognese, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, pasta, ground beef, Italian

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