One Pot Pasta
One Pot Pasta With Meat Sauce is my ultimate dinner hack. The meat, sauce and dry pasta are tossed into the pot together and the pasta cooks right in the sauce. SO quick and easy.
Servings: 5
Ingredients
For beef
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¾ cup finely-chopped onion 1 small-medium onion
- 4 tsp minced garlic 4 large cloves
- 2 ¾ tsp kosher salt divided use
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or oregano
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 15 oz jar tomato sauce
- 4 cups water
- 1 lb dry pasta
- 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese or a torn fresh mozzarella ball optional
Instructions
- Preheat a dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high for several minutes. Add oil, and once it is shimmering hot (30-60 seconds) add the beef. Break it up with a spoon, then let it cook undisturbed until nicely browned on the underside (3-5 minutes).
- Add onion, garlic, 3/4 tsp of the salt, italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Continue cooking until the beef is cooked through and onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the full can of tomato paste and cook it for 2–3 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add tomato sauce, water and remaining 2 tsp kosher salt. Stir well, then add the pasta (breaking up long strands if they don't fit).
- Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 12 minutes (or until pasta is tender). Stir often so pasta doesn’t stick.
- Top with mozzarella (if using) and put the lid back on until it melts.
Video
Notes
Letting the beef brown first before adding salt or other ingredients lets it get a really nice crust. Salt draws out moisture and the onions add a lot of moisture (adding either too early prevents browning).
The flavor when you brown the tomato paste is GAME-CHANGING. It takes the paste from tasting tinny and acidic to rich and delicious. Don't skip.
If you start with a kettle of boiling water, you can shave off a bit of time!
Nutrition
Calories: 3374kcal | Carbohydrates: 358g | Protein: 165g | Fat: 137g | Saturated Fat: 52g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 57g | Trans Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 412mg | Sodium: 7515mg | Potassium: 2598mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 973IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 867mg | Iron: 17mg