Skillet Spaghetti Recipe

This healthy skillet spaghetti is the easiest “pot” of spaghetti you’ll ever make because the pasta cooks in the sauce!

Skillet spaghetti is a simple, easy way to get a spaghetti dinner on the table. There is zero boiling the pasta ahead of time because everything cooks together in one, big skillet.

A side view of Skillet Spaghetti in a cast iron skillet, sitting on a wooden table.

Can I Cook Spaghetti Noodles In The Sauce?

Yes! But with one adjustment. You have to add enough water to the sauce to actually rehydrate (cook) the spaghetti. The recipe below accommodates that.

Can You Cook Spaghetti In A Skillet?

You can! You’ll want to use a large pan. The bigger the better. I’ve even boiled pasta in water in a skillet before. But we won’t be doing that here.

How Long Do You Cook Skillet Spaghetti For?

Different types of pasta cook for different lengths of time. There are different thicknesses of spaghetti noodles, so it will all depend very heavily on what your particular package of pasta calls for. This recipe uses a standard, whole-grain spaghetti and cooks for 20 to 30 minutes.

Do You Add Pasta To Sauce Or Sauce To Pasta?

If you boil your pasta separately, you’ll want to add the pasta to the sauce. You’ll continue to simmer the sauce with the pasta in it for about 1 to 2 minutes and then serve it.

But with this recipe, you don’t have to worry about it either way because everything cooks together.

How Do You Cook Spaghetti Without It Sticking?

When you initially put your pasta into the liquid (whether it’s sauce or water), you’ll want to stir it well and make sure your noodles are well separated before walking away from the pot. Also, be sure there is enough liquid in the pot or skillet.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Pasta In A Frying Pan?

In general, it can take up to about 30 minutes, depending on the pasta you use.

Can I Make Pasta Without Boiling It?

Yes! Cook it in the sauce the way this recipe calls for.

An overhead view looking down into a cast iron skillet filled with this Skillet Spaghetti Recipe.

“One Pot” Skillet Spaghetti

The great part about this recipe is that everything happens in one skillet. So there won’t be any big pasta pot to clean up after dinner.

Recipe Additions

If you want to make this skillet spaghetti a little heartier, try adding one or two of these.

  • Mushrooms
  • Grated carrots
  • Zucchini
  • Splash of red wine (if you like wine in sauce).
  • Splash of balsamic vinegar (gives the sauce a deeper, richer flavor).
  • Chopped green pepper (red peppers work too. Any color is fine)

Recipe Variations

  • Switch out the ground turkey for ground beef, or any ground meat you prefer.
  • Add a couple of teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
  • Try adding some Italian sausage.
  • Use marinara sauce (with no added sugar) instead of tomato sauce.

Garnish Options

These are classic garnishes that will all work quite well with this recipe.

  • chopped, fresh basil
  • chopped, fresh parsley
  • a dash of red pepper flakes
  • grated mozzarella cheese
  • grated parmesan

One Pot Spaghetti Ingredients

1½ lbs. ground turkey

1 tbsp. olive oil

2 tbsp. onion powder

1 tbsp. chili powder

1½ tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. dried basil

1 tbsp. garlic powder

3 cups water (+ 1 if needed)

30 oz. canned tomato sauce (no sugar added)

1 lb. whole-grain spaghetti

grated parmesan cheese

How To Make Skillet Spaghetti

Brown the turkey in your pan, using the olive oil.

Once the meat has lost all of its pink color, add all the spices to the pan and stir well to combine.

Pour in the water (start with 3 cups, you can always add more as needed) and tomato sauce and stir gently while bringing the sauce to a gentle boil.

Add the pasta, stir and cover the pan with a lid.

Check on the pasta often so as to keep it from burning on the bottom of the pan. Cook until the pasta reaches your desired level of “doneness” (Is that a word?). About 20-30 minutes. Remember to stir!

Allow to cool a bit and top with parmesan when serving.

A cast iron skillet filled with this Skillet Spaghetti Recipe, sitting on a wooden table.

Can I Use A Different Type of Pasta? 

Yes, providing you use enough liquid to cook it.

What Size Skillet Should I Use For Skillet Spaghetti?

Use the biggest skillet you have. A 12 to 15-inch skillet is about right here. I have found that a cast iron skillet works best here. But any skillet will work.

Recipe Supplies For Skillet Spaghetti

More Healthy Pasta Recipes

Skillet Spaghetti Recipe

Copyright Information For The Gracious Pantry
Clean Eating Skillet Spaghetti Recipe

Skillet Spaghetti

NOTE: You will need a very large pan for this. Mine was a 10 cup, cast iron pan and it was just barely large enough.
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 290kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet

Ingredients

  • lbs. ground turkey
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. onion powder
  • 1 tbsp. chili powder
  • tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1 tbsp. garlic powder
  • 3 cups water (+ 1 if needed)
  • 30 oz. canned tomato sauce (no sugar added)
  • 1 lb. whole grain spaghetti
  • grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Brown the turkey in your pan, using the olive oil.
  • Once the meat has lost all of it’s pink color, add all the spices to the pan and stir well to combine.
  • Pour in the water (start with 3 cups, you can always add more as needed) and tomato sauce and stir gently while bringing the sauce to a gentle boil.
  • Add the pasta, stir and cover the pan with a lid.
  • Check on the pasta often so as to keep it from burning on the bottom of the pan. Cook until the pasta reaches your desired level of “doneness” (Is that a word?). About 20-30 minutes. Remember to stir!
  • Allow to cool a bit and top with parmesan when serving.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 515mg | Potassium: 690mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 845IU | Vitamin C: 6.7mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 4.6mg

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68 Comments

  1. graciouspantry says:

    Guest – There’s no negative. It’s just a bit more time consuming.

  2. graciouspantry says:

    Cassandre – I shop at Trader Joe’s, so I purchase their whole wheat pasta. Safeway also has some really yummy whole wheat pastas.

    1. Hi there! How much is considered a “serving”? I want to make this part of my meal prep this week.

      1. The Gracious Pantry says:

        Hannah – I haven’t made this in a while, but I’m pretty sure it’s 1 cup.

  3. graciouspantry says:

    Bek – I adjusted as needed. I started off high, and then lowered the temp as the liquid was soaked up by the spaghetti.

  4. graciouspantry says:

    MGG – Hope you enjoy it!

  5. graciouspantry says:

    Nicole – No, boiling pasta is just fine. I was just referring to shortening time and dishes in the kitchen. I typically boil my pasta.

  6. graciouspantry says:

    Kerriejo – I hope you enjoy it!

  7. graciouspantry says:

    SS – I hope you enjoy it! It’s very simple to make. Love this stuff!

  8. graciouspantry says:

    Rhadonda – Thank you so much! You made my day. 🙂

  9. graciouspantry says:

    FlyingB – Excellent point. Thank you.

  10. graciouspantry says:

    BW – Ya, it really does need a very large pan. Halving it may be a good idea. Enjoy!

  11. graciouspantry says:

    Hilliary – Thanks! Enjoy it!

  12. graciouspantry says:

    Veronica – I’m so happy to hear that! Welcome to clean eating!

  13. graciouspantry says:

    Missi – Hahaha!! That’s wonderful!

  14. Pingback: day 1 of clean eating challenge | Mom's Secret Weapon
  15. graciouspantry says:

    Malinda – If you don’t mention it, chances are they won’t notice. Especially if you cook the clean versions of more traditional foods. I wish you all the best!

  16. Trudefaith says:

    this is a wonderful recipe, much better than anything out of a jar! and so easy! Thanks for the recipe Tiffany

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Trude – You’re welcome! Glad you liked it!

  17. graciouspantry says:

    Terri – Fantastic! It’s always nice to hear when somebody prefers a healthy recipe over a packaged food product. Glad you enjoyed it.

  18. graciouspantry says:

    Kelli – Wonderful! Glad you liked it!

  19. I tried last night and it was hit around here. Even my son said it was great!!

    Thanks 🙂

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Abby – Thanks! That’s fantastic!

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Emily – Sounds good!

  20. graciouspantry says:

    Sarah – It could work. You may have to play around with how much water you add, but you can do that as it cooks. Just add as necessary. Let me know how it turns out!

  21. Pingback: Clean One-Pot Spaghetti Recipe
  22. 5 stars
    I used the meat from turkey sausages and it—was—-awesome!!! The meat was defrost and I needed a recipe for it so I didn’t have to throw it away and came across this. An avid clean eater, I was elated to find this. Thank you Gracious Pantry! <3

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Katertot – My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!

  23. Julie Davey Johnston says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious. The only change I made was adding fresh onion and garlic, although I still added some onion and garlic powder. So yummy that it reminded me why I don’t make pasta for dinner anymore, whole wheat or otherwise. I had three bowls of it!

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Haha! That’s awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!