Clean Eating Skillet Spaghetti Recipe (2024)

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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.

Clean Eating Skillet Spaghetti Recipe (1)

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.

Clean Eating Skillet Spaghetti Recipe (2)

“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

1½lbs.ground turkey

1tbsp.olive oil

2tbsp.onion powder

1tbsp.chili powder

1½tsp.dried oregano

2tsp.dried basil

1tbsp.garlic powder

3cupswater(+ 1 if needed)

30oz.canned tomato sauce(no sugar added)

1lb.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.

Clean Eating Skillet Spaghetti Recipe (3)

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

  • Spaghetti Pie Recipe
  • Weeknight Spaghetti Recipe

Skillet Spaghetti Recipe

Clean Eating Skillet Spaghetti Recipe (8)

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

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes 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

US CustomaryMetric

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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Clean Eating Skillet Spaghetti Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What to put in spaghetti to make it taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Canned Spaghetti Sauce
  1. 1 - Extra virgin olive oil. Adding a good amount of a flavorful olive oil will go a long way in infusing flavor into your sauce. ...
  2. 2 - Fresh garlic. ...
  3. 3 - Meat. ...
  4. 4 - Hot pepper flakes. ...
  5. 5 - Red wine. ...
  6. 6 - Fresh or dried herbs. ...
  7. 7 - Cheese. ...
  8. 8 - Cream and/or butter.
Feb 26, 2018

What to put on pasta when you have no sauce? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

What is spaghetti in a pan called? ›

The name assassina, which means killer, refers not to the felony, but rather the risottatura cooking technique that cooks pasta like risotto. Instead of boiling the spaghetti, it's cooked directly in the pan by consistently adding water to it each time the pasta absorbs it.

What is the secret to good spaghetti? ›

For the best spaghetti, cook it in salted water.

Pasta water should taste salty. I add a lot of salt to our pasta water (it makes the pasta taste delicious). I add about one tablespoon of salt for every four quarts (16 cups) of water, which is perfect for cooking one pound of pasta.

What brings out spaghetti flavor? ›

Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options. Dried herbs and spices should be added at the beginning of the cook time so that they have time to bloom.

What can you put on spaghetti instead of tomato sauce? ›

Pasta with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and whatever veggies you want is a deceptively delicious way to pasta. Also known as “Aglio e Olio” (garlic and oil) pasta, this easy alternative to tomato sauce is quick, easy, and delicious.

What is a healthy substitute for pasta sauce? ›

Carrot and Beet Sauce

Similar to marinara but with a different flavor, carrots, and beets offer a ton of nutrition and can be supplemented in many dishes that use tomato sauce. Try sauteeing the vegetables with onion, garlic, and olive oil, then blend to desired texture. Add seasonings to taste.

What can I use instead of sauce? ›

7 Substitutes for Tomato Sauce If You Run Out of the Pantry Staple
  • Canned Tomatoes.
  • Fresh Tomatoes.
  • Tomato Paste.
  • Tomato Soup.
  • Ketchup.
  • Tomato Purée.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
Apr 27, 2024

What is skinny spaghetti called? ›

Spaghetti means "little twine," and variations include spaghettini (thinner), spaghettoni (thicker), bucatini (thicker and straw-like, with a hollow center), capellini (very thin) and angel's hair (thinnest). Spaghetti is traditionally served with simple, thin sauces such as olive oil or marinara (tomato sauce).

What do real Italians call spaghetti? ›

Etymology. Spaghetti is the plural form of the Italian word spaghetto, which is a diminutive of spago, meaning 'thin string' or 'twine'.

What is penny spaghetti? ›

Golden Penny Spaghetti is a thin, long, dried cylindrical pasta that is very tasty, does not get soggy and is enjoyed as Plain, Jollof, fried with Vegetables, and cooks in ten minutes. It is a staple food of traditional Italian cuisine.

What can I add to spaghetti to make it amazing? ›

Try adding something acidic! Acidity is a great “secret ingredient” that will add brightness to your pasta dish and give it a more lively flavor. While warming up your pasta sauces, add a splash of red wine vinegar, lemon juice, or balsamic vinegar, or add some chopped olives or capers.

How do you eat spaghetti like a true Italian? ›

Just as you should never snap your spaghetti before cooking it, neither should you cut up the strands once they reach your plate. Spaghetti, linguine and other strand pasta shapes were deliberately designed to be twirled around your fork, rather than cut, and all Italians learn to master this technique as children.

How to make spaghetti noodles tastier? ›

Here are five genius techniques for making creamy, delicious pasta—without loading up on heavy ingredients.
  1. Don't cook the pasta in advance. ...
  2. Finish cooking the pasta in the sauce. ...
  3. Save the pasta cooking water. ...
  4. Add the cheese at the end. ...
  5. Skip the dairy altogether.
Nov 16, 2017

How do you fix tasteless spaghetti? ›

Focus on the primary tastes or dip in to the Herbs/Spices. A really simple way to fix a tasteless spaghetti sauce is give it more depth, this canbe achieved with more tomato puree as well as salt and pepper. On top of that adding Bay Leaves, Italian Herbs, Stock (I tend to use Vegetable Boullion and a Mushroom stock).

How to make spaghetti sauce tastier? ›

A generous sprig or two of fresh herbs like basil, parsley, rosemary, or sage can all amp up the flavor of a jarred pasta sauce. Alternatively, some of those herbs, like parsley, sage, and rosemary, can be great minced up and gently fried into fresh olive oil before adding the sauce to the pot.

How do you add depth to spaghetti sauce? ›

Add some anchovy paste, fish sauce, or parmesan cheese. (You can also add a parm rind, but try to add it early on.) All three of these bring that savory flavor your mouth craves. Tomato paste can also be added, but you need to brown in first.

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