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.
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.
“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.
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
Skillet Spaghetti
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
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
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.
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!
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
Katertot – My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!
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!
Haha! That’s awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!
My pleasure!
Haha!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Ya, something went wrong there…
I love the idea of making it all in one skillet…less mess for this “mama chef” to clean up! I plan to also add lots of veggies (both diced and pureed…so the kiddos don’t complain about all the veggies! lol)…can’t wait to make this!
Thanks so much for your wonderful website…I’m learning sooo much about clean eating!!
This was delicious and totally hit the spot! Kiddos and hubby loved it and it was fairly easy to make.
Great supper! It makes a lot (for 2 people) so I’ll be eating it for a while.
Becky – It freezes pretty well if that helps.
Doesn’t cooking the pasta in the dish make it starchy and heavy?
Ivy – You mean in the skillet? I didn’t think so. For me it cooked up just like pasta should.
I absolutely love spaghetti. This recipe is definitely something I will have to try. I make my spaghetti a lot like this, but instead of turkey I use tofu.
Melissa – Great! I’m a big spaghetti fan as well. 🙂
Hi Tiffany. Just a question. I hear a lot lately about the low quality of the majority of olive oil, and how good coconut oil is. Since coconut oil has a much higher burn rate and is good for you, I am curious as to your thoughts on cooking with in instead of olive oil.
Nan – Definitely! I love coconut oil. Cook with it all the time!
I really want to make this tomorrow for the kiddos butwewe can’t have wheat pasta , would the cooking time be similar for brown rice spaghetti ? Thanks 🙂
Aimee – For the most part, yes. Just play it by ear. As long as the meat is cooked, you can pretty much cook until the pasta reaches the consistency you like best.
Well! If it isn’t Clean Hamburger Helper! Awesomeness!! ( I make this with elbows for that ‘authentic boxed meal’ appearance. 🙂
Jessica W – LOL!! Fabulous!! 😀
I am totally trying this with applegate chicken sausage.
Kelley – I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
I made this recipe the other night. It was my first ever attempt at a clean meal and everyone loved it! 🙂 thank you for sharing so many recipes and making the transition to healthy seem a lot less scary. Lol
Dana – My pleasure! So glad I could help! 🙂
Made this tonight bit wads great. Delicious. Easy and only one pan to clean. I made half the recipe bc it’s just kiddo and me tonight, but still enough for leftovers. Thanks.
Laurie – My pleasure! 🙂