This one pot ground beef pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner with seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, marinara sauce, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Everything cooks together in one pot, making cleanup just as easy as dinner.
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 wilts without overcooking.
- Use a pasta with a similar cooking time for best results.
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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.
Fresh spinach is stirred in at the end where it quickly wilts into the sauce. It’s an easy way to add a little extra nutrition without changing the flavor.
Ingredients
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: Rotini is our favorite for this dish because it holds the sauce so well. We used bronze-cut fusilli, which works just as well. If using another short pasta, choose one with a similar cooking time so the liquid cooks down properly.
- 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 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 the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring often, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been 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.
What Ground Beef Is Best for One Pot Pasta?
Lean ground beef (93/7 or 90/10) works best because it adds plenty of flavor without making the sauce greasy. If using an 80/20 blend, drain the excess grease before adding the remaining ingredients.
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 rotini, fusilli, or another short pasta with a similar cooking time. Long noodles like spaghetti may require adjustments to the cooking time and liquid.
- Add in some red pepper flakes to give this dish a little kick.
- Swap some of the water for beef broth for a richer flavor. If making this with chicken or turkey and Alfredo sauce, chicken broth works well.
- Add a little fresh basil in when you add the spinach.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring once or twice, until heated through.
Try These One Pot Pasta Meals Next!
- Chicken Spinach Tortellini Alfredo
- Homemade Hamburger Helper Chili Mac
- Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheesy Italian Shells
Serve this One Pot Ground Beef Pasta with a salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
Looking for even more quick and delicious dinners? Check out my Easy Pasta Recipes for Family Dinners 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