One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

I’m a huge fan of shortcut recipes and cooking anything in just one pot…because let’s be honest. The biggest downfall of cooking a nice dinner is the mile-high stack of dishes that you have to clean up.

It’s seriously the worst. (Unless, of course you have a young teen that wants the WiFi password. lol)

This reason, along with the crazy good flavor and taste, is why we’ve added this One Pot Spaghetti recipe to our monthly meal plan rotation. 

The one thing that I’ve noticed about this easy recipe, is that there will be one mess for sure to clean up outside of your one pot…

And that’s the kid’s faces! They’ll be so busy slurping up those noodles and smiling that they’re going to be COVERED in the sauce. 

Just take it as a compliment to the cook. An empty plate is one of the best compliments that one can receive! 

Recipe Ingredients + Notes:

Want to give this One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs a try? These are the ingredient to add to your list:

• Olive oil |  Use your favorite type of olive oil, personally I prefer the “light tasting” oil over extra virgin.
• Garlic cloves | You can sub garlic powder or jarred pre-minced garlic in for the cloves. If your garlic powder is fresh, you need about 1/8th tsp per clove. (if your garlic powder is old, you may need to double that.) For minced garlic, use 1/2 teaspoon of jarred minced garlic in place of each clove.) I will say, I ALMOST ALWAYS use real garlic in my recipes, I have the pampered chef garlic mincer and that thing is amazing. (Here is one on Amazon that looks exactly the same, but less expensive.)
• Yellow onion | Yellow onions are the most versatile and are perfect for sauteing. You could also use white, but their flavor is more pungent and you might find you need to saute them a bit longer.
• 1 28 oz (ish) jar of pasta sauce | I’ve been using a no sugar added sauce for a while now. If adding herbs, spices and veggies to the sauce, you will not miss the added sugar. I like the Monte Bene Pasta Sauce when I can find it in stock. (The only ingredients are tomatoes, olive oil, onions, garlic, basil and salt and pepper.  Steer clear of the pasta sauces with purreed carrots, that is just a sneaky way to add sugar.)
• Dried oregano and basil | For best results make sure your dried herbs and spices are fresh.
• Spaghetti 
• 14 to 20 oz pre-cooked meatballs | Use your favorite Brand.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese | Fresh or from the can.
• Fresh parsley | For garnish – the fresh parsley just adds a lovely pop of color to the finished dish.

(Scroll to the bottom for complete, printable recipe card with ingredient amounts)

How to Make One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Get ready to fall in love with this recipe. It’s crazy simple and crazy good. (full printable recipe card available at the bottom of the post.)

1. In a large saucepan, saute onions in olive oil for a few minutes over medium heat, then add in the garlic and continue sauteing until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes.) The garlic is added later to keep it from burning.
2. Add the spaghetti sauce and water to the pot. Bring to a boil.
3. Break up spaghetti and add to the pot along with salt, pepper, basil, and oregano.
4. Reduce heat to med-low and cook 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Carefully stir in warmed meatballs.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese and half the parsley.
7. Garnish with leftover fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Enjoy!

Options to Make this Shortcut Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe Even Better:

• Love mushrooms? Slice and saute a couple handfuls of your favorite mushrooms with the garlic and onions.
• Stir in a half cup of extra shredded cheese to the spaghetti at the end of the cooking time. (I love Colby/Monterey Jack blend for this, but any yellow cheese will work.)
• If you have overripe tomatoes that need to be used, dice the tomatoes up them up and saute them with the onions and garlic. (We always seem to have a few wrinkled looking cherry tomatoes that don’t get eaten.)

Can I Use Homemade Meatballs?

Yes, but you will need to cook them first. If you have a favorite meatball recipe, make them up, and then once they’re cooked, add them into the recipe as described above. 

Can this Recipe be Doubled?

Yes, although if doubling, I recommend reducing the water to 5 cups instead of 6. You will need to watch the spaghetti and if you think it needs more liquid towards the the end of the cooking time, just slowly add more water 1/2 cup at a time.

Can I Freeze the Leftovers?

Cooked spaghetti does not freeze well. Since you are cooing the spaghetti and marinara together, is not a recipe that I would recommend freezing.  However, it is excellent the next day as leftovers!

Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave when you’re ready to eat again! 

Let me know what you think about this One Pot Spaghetti! 

If you end up making this recipe, tag me in your photos on Instagram using the #Scatteredmomrecipes or share to my facebook page!

More Easy Dinner Recipes to Try 

• Green Chile Chicken Tacos
• Easy Barbecue Chicken Pizza Recipe
• Easy Crockpot Meatball Sub Recipe
• Creamy Green Chile Enchilada Soup Recipe

 

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