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3-Ingredient One Pot Pasta Recipe

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4.2 from 6 reviews

This 3-Ingredient One Pot Pasta recipe offers a simple, delicious, and hearty meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining lean ground beef or turkey, marinara sauce, and your choice of pasta, all cooked together in one pot for easy preparation and cleanup, this dish is both flavorful and convenient. Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a touch of freshness and added depth of flavor.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Meat

  • 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Sauce & Pasta

  • 1 jar (approx. 25 oz.) marinara sauce
  • 12 ounces pasta (rotini, rigatoni, or farfalle recommended)
  • Approx. 4 cups water (3 cups plus 1 cup added during cooking)

Optional Garnish

  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until fully browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and stir to combine.
  2. Add Sauce and Water: Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the marinara sauce into the pot with the cooked meat. Using the empty marinara jar, fill it with approximately 3 cups of water and add this to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  3. Add Pasta: Add the pasta directly into the sauce and meat mixture. Stir again to ensure the pasta is submerged and coated evenly.
  4. Simmer and Cook Pasta: Bring the pot to a gentle simmer (just barely bubbling). Cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  5. Add More Water and Continue Cooking: Add 1 more cup of water to the pot. Continue cooking and stirring frequently until the pasta is tender and cooked through, about 15 minutes more.
  6. Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Use lean ground turkey as a healthy alternative to ground beef for a lighter option.
  • The addition of water ensures the pasta cooks evenly and the sauce doesn't become too thick before the pasta is done.
  • Stir frequently to avoid pasta sticking and burning on the bottom of the pot.
  • Try different pasta shapes like rotini, rigatoni, or farfalle for varied textures.
  • Optional garnishes like parmesan and fresh basil enhance the flavor and presentation.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/3-ingredient-one-pot-pasta-recipe/