This One Pot Ground Beef & Spinach Pasta is the weeknight hero you didn’t know you needed—hearty, cheesy, and sneakily packed with greens so you feel like a responsible adult. Bonus: it all comes together in one pot, which means fewer dishes and more time to question your life choices over a second helping. Let’s do this!
We’re partial to one-pot pasta recipes around here. They’re easy, comforting, and guaranteed to keep the sink from overflowing. This one’s a total crowd-pleaser, loved by the entire family, even those picky eaters who usually act like spinach is a personal attack.
This spinach and beef pasta is made with just a handful of simple ingredients, and we happily accept help from the grocery store by cracking open a trusty jar of pasta sauce. Add some lean ground beef, lots of garlic, and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese at the end, and boom—dinner’s done.
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Ingredient Photo
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Beef: I use lean ground beef because it saves me from the dreaded draining step—one less thing to do, one less splatter to clean. Want to lighten it up a bit? Ground turkey or chicken work great too.
- Pasta: I went with cavatappi for this one. It’s fun, twisty, and kid-approved. My husband is basically a big kid, so he was all in. You can swap in any short pasta like penne, rotini, or whatever’s hanging out in your pantry.
- Marinara Sauce: I like a sauce that’s saucy (shocking, I know) and not full of veggie chunks. This keeps the pasta from turning into a dry disappointment. Got homemade sauce? Flex it!
- Spinach: Baby spinach or regular—grab whatever looks best at the store. It wilts down anyway, so no stress.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated off the block melts like a dream, but if all you’ve got is the pre-shredded kind, you’ll get zero judgment from me. Cheese is cheese, friend. You can also totally swap in mozzarella or cheddar cheese—go with what your taste buds (or your fridge) are calling for.
- Olive Oil: A must when using lean meat—because scraping stuck beef off the bottom of the pot is not my idea of a good time. Olive oil is my go-to, but honestly, use whatever you’ve got. Canola or vegetable oil work just fine—this is dinner, not a culinary competition.
- Italian Seasoning: Look, I had to put my own spin on it somewhere. A sprinkle of Italian seasoning makes this feel a little more "homemade" and a little less "I made this in a rush while everyone was already asking when dinner’s ready."
- Garlic: I’m the proud queen of jar garlic (or jarlic, if you’re cool). Not feeling like a real cook unless you mince it fresh? Go ahead—get all sticky. Your kitchen, your rules.
Step-By-Step Instructions (with photos)
See recipe card below for complete directions with amounts.
Step 1: Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef and cook until brown. Add garlic and cook for a minute or two.
Step 2: Add the Italian seasoning and marinara sauce, fill sauce jar with water put the lid back on it and shake it, pour it into the pot. Stir in pasta, reduce to medium heat and cook 13-15 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Step 3: Add spinach and cook, stirring constantly until wilted.
Step 4: Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
Optional Add-Ins
Want to boost the flavor even more? Swap in beef broth for some (or all) of the water—it adds a rich, savory depth that takes this dish up a notch.
Feeling a little spicy? Crushed red pepper flakes are an easy way to add a kick. Just sprinkle to taste and watch your pasta go from cozy to bold.
Frequently Asked Questions
I haven’t tried it, but I see no reason it wouldn’t work! Just make sure to thaw it first and squeeze out as much water as you can, then stir it in like you would fresh spinach. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out by leaving me a comment below—I’d love to hear!
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave in 30-45 second intervals, stirring each time, until heated through.
Try these one pan pasta dishes next!
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One Pot Ground Beef & Spinach Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 1 jar pasta sauce 24 oz
- 1 jar water
- 1 lb cavatappi
- 1 pkg fresh spinach 5-6 oz
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef and cook until brown. Add garlic and cook for a minute or two.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 lb lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon garlic
- Add the Italian seasoning and marinara sauce, fill sauce jar with water put the lid back on it and shake it, pour it into the pot. Stir in pasta, reduce to medium heat and cook 13-15 minutes or until pasta is tender.1 jar pasta sauce, 1 jar water, 1 lb cavatappi
- Add spinach and cook, stirring constantly until wilted.1 pkg fresh spinach
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and stir until melted.¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
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