4.7 from 66 votes
Easy Spaghetti
Easy Spaghetti is a straightforward pasta dish using half-cut spaghetti cooked by absorption, combined with browned ground beef and a tomato basil sauce. The method yields tender pasta coated in flavorful meat sauce, finished with optional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese for garnish. It's practical for a home-cooked meal and adaptable with preferred sauce brands.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
200 kcal
Course:
Lunch
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- spaghetti Barilla® Pronto® Half-Cut, 12-ounce box
- pinch salt optional to taste
- 1 pound ground beef I used and recommend 90% lean so you don’t have to drain it, or ground sirloin
- tomato and basil pasta sauce Barilla® brand, 24-ounce jar, or your favorite sauce
- basil optional, fresh, finely chopped, for garnishing
- Parmesan Cheese optional, freshly grated for garnishing
Instructions
- To a large pan, add the pasta, cover with 3 cups cold water, optional salt to taste, and boil over high heat until water has absorbed, about 10 minutes, but watch your pasta and cook as needed until al dente. While pasta boils, brown the ground beef.
- To a large skillet, add the ground beef and cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- After beef has cooked through, add the pasta sauce, stir to combine, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through.
- After pasta has cooked for about 10 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed, add the sauce over the pasta and toss to combine in the skillet or alternatively plate the pasta and add sauce to each individual plate as desired.
- Optionally garnish with basil and Parmesan to taste and serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store any leftovers airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave for about 30 seconds to preserve texture.
- Using 90% lean ground beef reduces the need for draining excess fat after cooking.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
200kcal
(10%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4g
(2%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
74mg
(25%)
Sodium
75mg
(3%)
Potassium
364mg
(8%)
Calcium
14mg
(1%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 200kcal | 10% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 74mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 75mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 364mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 14mg | 1% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.