Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
24 oz marinara sauce
3 cups water or low-sodium broth
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat.
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Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
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Add ground meat (if using) and cook until browned; drain excess fat.
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Stir in salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
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Add marinara sauce, water/broth, and dry spaghetti. Gently press pasta down to submerge.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
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Remove from heat, sprinkle with Parmesan, and garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
Cooking Tips
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Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking.
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Break spaghetti in half if your pot is small.
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For extra richness, stir in 2 tbsp butter or a splash of cream at the end.
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Use broth instead of water for deeper flavor.
🔄 Variations
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Vegetarian: Skip meat and add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
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Creamy: Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or ricotta at the end.
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Spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add extra red pepper flakes.
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Cheesy: Mix in shredded mozzarella and cover for 2 minutes to melt.
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Protein Swap: Try ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g