Let me tell you something personal. On the nights when everything feels too much, laundry’s overflowing, emails are piling up, and I have zero energy left, this one pot spaghetti bolognese saves me. Every time.
It’s the kind of recipe that doesn’t ask for much but gives you everything. Comfort, warmth, and that little moment of peace around the dinner table. And guess what? It all happens in one pot. No juggling pans. No mountain of dishes. Just good, real food.
You don’t need to be a chef. You don’t even need to know what you’re doing (been there). This dish is forgiving, flavorful, and feels like a little win at the end of a long day.
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Why This One Pot Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe Works
We all have our staple dinners, the ones we fall back on when life gets messy. This is one of mine. And here’s why:
- It’s made in one pot. Yes, really. Even the pasta cooks right in the sauce.
- It’s done in under 40 minutes, from chopping to serving.
- It’s flexible. Want to use turkey instead of beef? Go for it. Need a meatless version? I got you.
- It feeds everyone. Kids, adults, picky eaters, people who “don’t like leftovers”, this wins them all over.
And the best part? You probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
What You’ll Need (Serves 4–6)
Nothing fancy here, just the essentials:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth (or veggie broth if that’s what you have)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
- Parmesan, fresh basil, or chili flakes for topping (totally optional)
Time-saving tip: Use Prego One Pot Spaghetti Bolognese sauce instead of tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. It’s a solid shortcut, and it still tastes like you made it from scratch.
How to Make It – Step by Step
Step 1: Sauté the Good Stuff
Grab your biggest pot (the one you always save for soups). Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion and let it soften, about 4 minutes. Then add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds until it smells amazing.
Step 2: Add Your Protein
Drop in the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until it’s fully browned. If there’s extra fat, you can drain it, but I usually leave a bit for flavor.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Stir in your tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let it cook for 1–2 minutes. Then pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Give it all a good stir.
Step 4: Pasta Time
Break your spaghetti in half (it’s okay, Italians, we still love you) and drop it straight into the pot. Push it down so it’s mostly covered by liquid. It’ll soften as it cooks.
Step 5: Simmer & Chill (well, not you, the pasta)
Bring it all to a boil. Then lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 12–15 minutes. Stir it a few times so the noodles don’t stick. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water or broth.
Step 6: Serve It Up
Turn off the heat and let it sit for 2–3 minutes. Then serve with grated Parmesan, some torn basil, or whatever your heart desires.
Want to Make It in the Instant Pot?
You can totally turn this into an Instant Pot one pot spaghetti bolognese if you’re in a hurry, just like this quick and satisfying Instant Pot creamy shrimp pasta.
Just set your Instant Pot to sauté, cook the onion, garlic, and meat, then add the sauce and broth. Stir in the pasta, seal the lid, and pressure cook for 8 minutes. Quick release, stir, and serve.
Customize It Your Way
- Vegetarian? Swap the meat for lentils or meatless crumbles, or explore these flavor-packed vegan spaghetti squash recipes for more plant-based inspiration.
- Want veggies? Add chopped carrots, mushrooms, or spinach.
- More flavor? Splash in some red wine or balsamic vinegar.
- Creamy version? Stir in a bit of cream or ricotta at the end.
Leftovers Are Even Better
If you have any leftovers (unlikely, but just in case), they’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
This also freezes beautifully. Store it in individual portions for easy grab-and-go lunches or no-effort dinners later.
What Readers Say
“I made this after work and it was SO easy. Even my 6-year-old ate it, twice!”
– Kelly S.
“Used Prego One Pot Spaghetti Bolognese sauce and it was still so flavorful. Will make again.”
– James T.
“Instant Pot version worked like a charm. Quick, tasty, and no dishes. Love it.”
– Melissa A.
Pair It With…
If you want to make it feel like a full dinner, serve this with:
- Garlic bread or a toasted baguette
- A quick salad (arugula + olive oil + lemon = done)
- Roasted broccoli or green beans
- A glass of red wine or sparkling water with lemon
Or honestly? Just enjoy it as-is in your comfiest sweatpants. You earned it.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
This isn’t one of those recipes you try once and forget about. It’s the kind you bookmark, print out, and text to your sister. It’s the dinner that gets you through when life is messy but you still want to feed your people (or just yourself) something warm and wonderful.
Because this one pot spaghetti bolognese recipe is simple. It’s real. It works. Every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use jarred sauce instead of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste?
Yes! If you’re short on time or just want an easier prep, go ahead and use Prego One Pot Spaghetti Bolognese sauce or your favorite jarred variety. It still tastes amazing and saves you a step or two.
Do I need to pre-cook the pasta?
Nope. That’s the beauty of this one pot spaghetti bolognese recipe. The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all that flavor while saving you an extra dish to wash.
How do I make it vegetarian?
Easy! Swap out the ground beef for lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based ground meat alternative. Also use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?
Yes, and it’s super convenient. Just follow the steps to sauté the onion, garlic, and meat using the sauté function. Then add the rest of the ingredients and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Quick release, stir, and serve. That’s your instant pot one pot spaghetti bolognese ready in no time.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Definitely. This recipe freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, portion it into airtight containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
What if my sauce gets too thick while cooking?
Just add a splash of water, broth, or even a bit of tomato sauce if you want to keep the flavor strong. Stir gently and simmer for a minute to bring it back to the right consistency.
One Pot Spaghetti Bolognese
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes 1 can
- 2 cups beef broth or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz spaghetti broken in half
- Parmesan, fresh basil, or chili flakes optional toppings
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Stir in tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes to bring out the flavors.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Stir well to combine.
- Add the broken spaghetti and press it down into the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Turn off the heat and let sit for 2–3 minutes. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan, fresh basil, or chili flakes.
Notes
Final Thought
I could go on about how much I love this dish (clearly, I already did), but really, I just want you to try it. One pot, a few pantry staples, and 30-ish minutes later, you’ve got something that feels like a hug in a bowl.
If you do make it, let me know! Tag me @easyrecipesbox or drop a comment on the blog. I love seeing what you create.
Until next time, happy cooking, and remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.
I used the Prego One Pot sauce as a shortcut and it still came out full of flavor. I was honestly surprised by how good it tasted with so little effort. Definitely adding this to my weeknight rotation.
Made the Instant Pot version and wow, so easy and hardly any cleanup. My partner said it tasted like something from an Italian restaurant. Loved it!