This one pot ground beef pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner made in just one pot. It’s a simple, family-friendly meal that’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. Made with rotini and marinara sauce, it’s a quick dinner everyone will love.
Mindy’s Tips for One-Pot Pasta
- Stir frequently so the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t stick
- Keep the heat at a gentle simmer so the liquid doesn’t cook off too fast
- Add the spinach at the end so it stays bright and doesn’t overcook
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When I was a new cook I would occasionally make the boxed dinners. The kids seemed to love them. Lee and I? Not so much.
Over time, I started making simple homemade versions using the same one-pot method. Once you learn the technique, it’s easy to switch up ingredients and create different meals.
I like adding a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach (about 2 cups) for extra flavor and nutrition. It wilts right into the sauce and is barely noticeable, making it an easy way to add a little something extra.
Ingredient Notes
Exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
- Marinara Sauce: We have a favorite jar sauce we use. You can use your favorite or homemade spaghetti sauce.
- Ground Beef: I buy lean ground beef, usually 93/7 or 94/6.
- Garlic: We use the kind in a jar because it is so convenient. You can certainly use fresh garlic cloves.
- Rotini Pasta: Our favorite type for this dish. Use your favorite pasta but you may need to adjust the cooking time.
- Fresh Spinach: Adds nutrition to this dish but can be left out.
- Parmesan Cheese: We use the type that can be found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
How to Make Ground Beef Spinach Pasta
To turn this into a ground beef spinach pasta, simply stir in fresh spinach at the end and cook until wilted. Using a smaller amount keeps the sauce rich and creamy, while a larger amount makes it more veggie-packed.
How to Make One Pot Ground Beef Pasta
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven cook ground beef in olive oil over medium-high heat until brown, about 7-10 minutes. Drain fat if not using lean meat.
- Add garlic and cook about 1 minute.
- Pour in marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and pasta. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring often to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot as the water is absorbed.
- Stir in fresh spinach and ½ cup Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring gently until spinach wilts and cheese melts.
- Top with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
How to Get the Perfect Pasta Texture
Keep the pasta at a gentle simmer so it has time to cook and absorb the sauce without drying out. If the liquid is disappearing too quickly, lower the heat. If it’s too soupy at the end, let it cook a few extra minutes uncovered.
Substitutions & Additions
Swap the marinara sauce for Alfredo sauce and use a different ground meat such as ground turkey or chicken for a completely different dish.
Use whole wheat pasta, other short-cut pasta or even spaghetti noodles. You will still need one pound of pasta.
Add in some red pepper flakes to give this dish a little kick.
Swap some of the water for beef stock to give this dish more flavor. Chicken broth if using Alfredo sauce and chicken or turkey. For some reason I prefer to use a tomato sauce with beef and pork and a white sauce with poultry.
Add a little fresh basil in when you add the spinach.
Recipe Note: I have not tried this recipe with gluten free pasta yet.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
We reheat our pasta in the microwave. I have a plastic cover that I use to cover the dish. This helps steam to form so the pasta doesn’t get too dry while reheating. I also stir my plate of food at least once about midway through the reheating process. You can also use a damp paper towel to cover the plate of pasta to help it retain some of its moisture.
Try These One Pot Pasta Meals Next!
- Chicken Spinach Tortellini Alfredo
- Homemade Hamburger Helper Chili Mac
- Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheesy Italian Shells
We like to serve our One Pot Meaty Marinara Pasta with a salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
Looking for even more quick and delicious dinners? Check out my 15 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner or my 15 Easy One-Pan Dinners for more easy weeknight meals.
Love this recipe?
Leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Easy One Pot Pasta with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24 ounces
- 1 jar water
- 1 pound rotini or other short cut pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese divided
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high, add ground beef and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound lean ground beef
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.1 teaspoon garlic
- Add Italian seasoning and marinara sauce, fill sauce jar with water put the lid back on it and shake it, pour in pot. Add pasta and bring to a boil; reduce heat to simmer and cook, covered for 12-15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring often to prevent the pasta from sticking.1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 jar marinara sauce, 1 jar water, 1 pound rotini
- Gently stir in spinach and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese. Stir until spinach is wilted and cheese is melted. Top with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.2 cups fresh spinach, ¾ cup Parmesan cheese
I feel it needed more liquid as I had quite a bit of food stuck to the bottom of the pan. It tasted very good, if a bit dry.
I’m really glad you enjoyed the flavor, but I’m sorry it turned out a bit dry—that’s definitely frustrating, especially with some sticking in the pan.
This can happen depending on the type of pasta or how much liquid cooks off, so adding a little extra broth or even a splash of pasta water as it cooks can help keep everything nice and saucy. I’ve also found that lowering the heat slightly once it’s simmering makes a difference.
I really appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback—it’s helpful for me and for others making the recipe too!
I loved this recipe! To make it dairy free and taste cheesy, I added about a 1/4 c nutritional yeast and 3tbsp. Lemon juice! Came out AMAZING!! Cheesy and thicker sauce how I like it!
I’m so glad you love it, and thank you for the instructions to make it dairy free!
Lovely recipe, only made a minor change and used 1 cup of low sodium beef broth instead of water. Thanks for sharing this!
That is a great way to add flavor, I am glad you like it! You’re welcome!
This dish was delicious my family loved it! The only change I made was I made it with gluten-free noodles because I have celiac disease. I will make this again. Thank you.
Thank you for letting me know this turned out good with gluten-free noodles! My grandson also has celiac so I will let my daughter know that this is one she can make for her family.
Hi Mindy, Can frozen spinach be used instead of fresh ?
Yes, I would squeeze out as much water as possible first.
When do you add the pasta?
It should be in step 3 with the marinara sauce and water. I have edited the recipe.
Love how the pasta soaks into the sauce, comes out delicious!
Thank you, I am so glad you like it!
These all look so delicious! Hope to try them soon.
One pot meals for the win! Save a lot of washing and very tasty and comforting too.
Exactly, you get me! Thanks, Angie