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–+ servings
A close-up of spaghetti topped with a rich ground beef meat sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Easy Ground Beef and Spaghetti Skillet

This easy ground beef and spaghetti skillet is a comforting and reliable meal perfect for busy weeknights. It uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly, offering a satisfying homemade dinner without the fuss.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Simmer Time (for best flavor) 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Skillet
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
  • 0.25 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • to taste salt
  • to taste sugar
For the Pasta
  • 8 oz dried spaghetti pasta
For Serving
  • optional grated parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
  2. Add the chopped garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute or two until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, and red chili flakes. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer. For a quicker meal, simmer for 30 minutes. For the best flavor, simmer for at least 2 hours. Towards the end of simmering, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and sugar as needed.
  3. While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions, until it reaches your preferred tenderness. Drain the pasta in a colander.
  4. To serve, you can either plate the cooked pasta and top it with the meat sauce, or add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce and mix everything together. Top with grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For best results when reheating, warm the sauce on the stovetop and briefly cook the pasta in boiling water. The meat sauce can also be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. It is recommended to cook fresh pasta rather than freezing it.

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