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Creamy Meat Sauce One Pot Pasta

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By: MadelinePosted: 07/16/2020Updated: 04/01/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Creamy Meat Sauce One Pot Pasta is a quick and delicious meal that you can make with just one pot and a few simple ingredients. This cozy, comforting meat sauce pasta comes together in less than 30 minutes. Feed your family this simple one pot pasta that everyone will enjoy.

Above view of creamy meat sauce one pot pasta in a pot with a wooden serving spoon

The one pot pasta hype is real

I have no idea how its taken me so long to jump on the one pan pasta train, but I am so glad that I finally did. Earlier this week I really needed to make it through some ground beef in my freezer and I came up with this creamy meat sauce one pot pasta.

So everyone know that making pasta is not hard. It’s probably the more basic level of cooking for yourself. That said, it is a hassle to boil the pasta, drain it and then put it back in the pot to add the sauce. With this creamy meat sauce one pot pasta you get a balanced and filling meal without the hassle of draining your pasta.

One of the goals of my twenties is to amass a library of easy, delicious, comforting and relatively healthy meals that I can throw together in just 20 or 30 minutes. I want to create recipes that other families and my own will love to make over and over again. I am confident that this creamy meat sauce one pot pasta will be high on that list of recipes.

Close up above view of a bowl of creamy meat sauce pasta

What kitchen tools will I need to make this Creamy Meat Sauce One Pot Pasta?

One thing that is crucial for making this creamy meat sauce one pot pasta is choosing the correct pot. You will want a large pot and one that has a thick bottom. I loved using my dutch oven to make this dish. I enjoyed it so much that it has inspired me to make even more dutch oven recipes – prior to this I was just using it for bread.

Other than using a large, thick bottom pot, you really don’t need any special kitchen equipment to make this easy and delicious weeknight dinner. All you need to do is measure out your ingredients, throw them in the pot and get to cooking. In less than 30 minutes you will have a delicious and satisfying meal.

If you are worried that you need a green veggie with every meal, I hear you and I’ve been there. First of all, maybe try a veggie free meal one day! You’ll be happy to see that you live through. If you absolutely need some veggies in your one pot pasta, try throwing a few handfuls of spinach in at the end so it will wilt in the heat.

 

Three quarter view of meat sauce pasta in a pot

What ingredients will I need to make this comforting meat sauce pasta recipe?

You only need a few basic ingredients to make this creamy meat sauce one pot pasta, but there are some things that you should know when selecting the ingredients. I have only tested this recipe with wheat pasta. If you want to make it with a gluten free alternative, please know that I have not tested that and the final result may not be the same.

You will also need ground beef for this recipe. I have been getting mine from Butcher Box who delivers grass fed, grass finished ground beef and other meats and poultry to your front door. If you want to order from Butcher Box now, you can take advantage of their promo of ground beef for life! This means you will get 2lbs of ground beef in every single box for life!

This simple recipe is made even easier by using jarred marinara sauce – sorry to my Italian grandma! When I am searching for a good marinara sauce I look for one with simple ingredients and no added sugar. One like this is a good choice!

Side view of creamy meat sauce one pot pasta in a serving dish with parmesan cheese on top

How to make creamy meat sauce one pot pasta!

It is really so easy to make this creamy meat sauce one pot pasta. Start by heating oil in your pot or dutch oven. When the oil is hot add the ground beef to the pot with salt and pepper. Brown the meat and break into small crumbles.

Once the beef is browned add water, marinara and pasta to the pot. Stir thoroughly and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil, stir and reduce to a simmer. Allow pot to simmer for 14 minutes stirring frequently.

After 14 minutes, taste the pasta to be sure its almost full cooked. Turn off the heat and stir in 2oz of plain goat cheese. Sir pasta until the goat cheese is fully melted in.

This creamy meat sauce one pot pasta is best if enjoyed immediately, but you can also make it and store it in some airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To get the full recipe please scroll down below. If you make this recipe please let me know on Instagram or in the comments section!!

Image for pinning Creamy Meat Sauce One Pot Pasta Recipe on pinterest
Recipe

Creamy Meat Sauce One Pot Pasta

★★★★★ 5 from 36 reviews

A cozy and satisfying meat sauce one pot pasta that you can make with simple ingredients!

Recipe By: Madeline
Prep: 2 minutesCook: 23 minutesTotal: 25 minutes
Print Pin it Rate recipe Save recipe
Servings: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 lb dry pasta
  • 2 oz plain goat cheese (log not crumbled)

Instructions

  1. Heat avocado oil over medium heat in a large, heavy bottom pan like a dutch oven
  2. Once the oil is hot add the ground beef, salt and pepper to the pot
  3. Cook the beef, braking it up into tiny pieces with a wooden spoon until browned, about 5-6 minutes
  4. Pour marinara sauce, water, and pasta into the pot and stir thoroughly. Increase the heat to high
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring frequently
  6. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a low simmer
  7. Allow the mixture to simmer covered for 14 minutes while stirring frequently
  8. After 14 minutes, test the pastam it should be almost completely cooked and soft
  9. Turn off the burner and stir in the got cheese until fully melted into the pasta
  10. Best if enjoyed immediately, but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Danielle says

    Posted on 1/17 at 7:03 am

    I made this last night for the first time and it was AMAZZZING. The perfect meal for a cold snowy Pittsburgh night.

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/17 at 8:14 am

      Yes!!! Such a good winter comfort food. So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Bonnie says

    Posted on 7/26 at 9:04 am

    this dish is delicious and super easy! I love the addition of goat cheese, it add a creamy but tart flavor. I made a big batch of the sauce without the pasta so I could make it into 2 meals, looking forward to eating this dish twice!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 7/26 at 1:32 pm

      I am so glad! I agree I love the flavor the goat cheese adds. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
  3. Lauren Hardin says

    Posted on 7/26 at 11:17 pm

    YUM!! Seriously so good. I made this with spinach rotini (from the bulk section at sprouts), subbed ground turkey for the beef and threw in a couple handfuls of Power greens at the end with the goat cheese. So yummy, like a grown up Mac and cheese. Will for sure be making this again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 7/27 at 9:35 am

      Oh WOW love the upgrades. sounds incredible!! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
  4. Courtney Paige says

    Posted on 8/2 at 10:59 pm

    This dish is fabulous. I subbed the beef for ground chicken (flavored bruschetta), added in lots of spinach, and instead of goat cheese used feta cheese (just what I had on hand). Packed with flavor and one pot clean up – couldn’t be easier.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 8/3 at 11:14 am

      Your combo sounded and looked SO good. THank you for sharing!!

      Reply
  5. Colleen M says

    Posted on 9/14 at 8:57 pm

    This pasta dish literally takes under 20 minutes to make and can feed SO many people. I don’t cook often but I make this dish every single week because my husband and I crave it. So delicious and so easy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/15 at 12:16 pm

      Thank you!! Its such a good recipe to have in the regular rotation!

      Reply
  6. Monica M says

    Posted on 9/20 at 6:31 pm

    Very easy and delicious!
    I adapted this slightly to use cheese tortellini I had, so good! I used ground Italian sausage because I had it on hand, but I imagine any meat would go well. Definitely something I will make again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/21 at 4:58 pm

      Awesome!! Thank you!

      Reply
  7. Claire says

    Posted on 11/21 at 9:28 pm

    So good! I used gluten-free pasta (which is in 12 oz packages as opposed to 16 oz) and followed all of the instructions but just added one less cup of water and it turned out perfectly! I also subbed parmesan for goat cheese because I have a picky husband 🙂 – we both loved it!

    I added sauteed zucchini to my bowl (again, picky husband) which was a great addition.

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 11/25 at 10:37 am

      amazing!! love when I can please a picky eater!! Love the additions

      Reply
  8. Allison says

    Posted on 12/2 at 8:43 pm

    Just made this tonight and we LOVED it. It’s so tangy, and so easy to put together!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/4 at 3:26 pm

      oh yay!! Thank you!!

      Reply
  9. MichelleK says

    Posted on 12/14 at 6:39 pm

    I love a one pot pasta dish and this one is just so tasty and fulfilling. Seriously one of my faves of yours.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/16 at 11:08 am

      thank you!!

      Reply
      • Jessi says

        Posted on 1/25 at 9:50 pm

        Great recipe! It’s so quick and easy to make. Perfect for a nice simple dinner after work. Love the creaminess from the goat cheese! Will definitely make again.

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Madeline says

          Posted on 1/26 at 9:41 am

          wonderful!! thank you!!

          Reply
  10. Amanda says

    Posted on 1/7 at 7:48 pm

    Made this tonight and we ate every last bite! Perfect as written. I added some chopped asparagus in for the final 4 minutes of cooking and it was absolutely delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/8 at 9:13 am

      amazing!! Love adding veggies in at the end!!

      Reply
  11. Kaelin says

    Posted on 1/13 at 4:08 pm

    So delicious! I loveeeee spaghetti/pasta bake dishes. This recipe is definitely one I’ll be making frequently. Super good as leftovers for lunch too!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/14 at 4:32 pm

      amazing!!! Thank you!

      Reply
  12. Leigh-Anne says

    Posted on 1/15 at 8:58 pm

    I made this tonight and it’s so good!!! I had gluten free pasta, ground turkey, and vodka sauce on hand. It’s my new favorite dinner!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  13. Danielle says

    Posted on 2/16 at 8:53 pm

    So easy to make for a weekday dinner, with plenty leftover for lunch the next day. The added goat cheese makes it feel like I made something fancy, but it was all so simple to assemble.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 2/17 at 8:47 pm

      wonderful!! thank you!!

      Reply
  14. Mary Katherine says

    Posted on 2/17 at 11:31 am

    Made this with Italian sausage and it was so yummy and easy! Loved this simple recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 2/17 at 8:47 pm

      yay!! thank you!!

      Reply
  15. Lauren says

    Posted on 2/17 at 3:28 pm

    Made this exactly the same but with beyond meat and it turned out delicious. This is a great way to use up a jar of sauce! Also, I used shells and they were perfect for picking up all the “meat” and sauce.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 2/17 at 8:47 pm

      yay!! thank you!

      Reply
  16. Anna says

    Posted on 2/17 at 6:14 pm

    yum! this was the comfort food I needed today. I also made it with gluten-free pasta and used roughly 3 cups of water. I added a bunch of spinach and it works well! In the future, I want to try it with sausage for an extra kick.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 2/17 at 8:47 pm

      thank you!!!

      Reply
  17. Molly says

    Posted on 2/22 at 10:31 am

    this was amazing!!!! so simple yet so good! exactly what i look for in a recipe. adding this to my meal rotation for sure!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 2/22 at 11:54 am

      yay! I am so glad!! thank you!

      Reply
  18. Brooke says

    Posted on 3/24 at 10:49 am

    We make this in our home at least every other week. It’s truly the perfect, delicious, & simple meal as it is – but we’ve also tried a number of other variations based off this base recipe. Our favorite way is subbing Italian sausage and adding sun dried tomatoes, zucchini, a chopped red pepper, and spinach. Thanks Madeline for offering up such a delicious and easy recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 3/25 at 3:41 pm

      thats sounds so good!! thank you!!

      Reply
  19. Erica says

    Posted on 3/25 at 9:47 am

    This looks SO good. I am dairy free, do you have a recommendation for a goat cheese substitute, maybe coconut milk?

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 3/25 at 3:38 pm

      I think cashew cream would be best! Check out the ones I make in this recipe. Its really simple https://madaboutfood.co/creamy-shredded-chicken-pasta-sauce/

      Reply
    • Stephanie says

      Posted on 5/28 at 1:56 pm

      I made it and took a portion out for my son who is dairy free before adding the cheese and it was super delicious without it too!

      Reply
  20. Joanna says

    Posted on 3/28 at 12:58 pm

    Fabulous recipe !!! This is a solid recipe – easy to follow, quick, and delicious. I accidentally added a 4oz log of goat cheese – resulting in a super creamy product (not complaining!).

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  21. Nicole says

    Posted on 4/11 at 7:42 pm

    Delicious and super easy to make!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/12 at 12:16 pm

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  22. Allie says

    Posted on 4/11 at 11:12 pm

    This was AMAZING!!! One thing to clean up, the pasta was perfectly cooked. This is definitely on our family meal nights. Delicious and one pot, can’t go wrong!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/12 at 10:48 am

      Thank you!!!

      Reply
  23. Debbie says

    Posted on 4/12 at 1:08 am

    A pasta meal cooked in one pot? Madeline you are a genius! We loved this recipe. Yummy flavor and so easy. Definitely in our dinner rotation now.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/12 at 10:42 am

      Amazing! thank you!!

      Reply
  24. Kate says

    Posted on 4/14 at 5:33 pm

    I make this all the time. The whole family loves it and I love ho easy it is to make!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/20 at 9:31 am

      wonderful!! thank you!!

      Reply
  25. Ellen Willing says

    Posted on 5/3 at 1:19 pm

    What an easy, yummy dish that literally takes under 30 minutes to make! Even my son devours it! The goat cheese is a nice touch at the end. My mind was blown when the recipe says to cook the noods in the sauce/water!! 🙌 Thank you so much for making delicious recipes!!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 5/4 at 8:38 pm

      amazing!! thank you!!

      Reply
  26. Kaitlyn says

    Posted on 5/5 at 7:14 pm

    I’ve been meaning to try this recipe for ages – and now I’m mad that I waited so long! I’ve been struggling to cook these days, but I still want meals that feel like ‘real food,’ so quick recipes/recipes that don’t require a long list of ingredients or a lot of clean up are my favorite and I finally decided to give this a try. I literally swore after my first bite because it was so good lol. The goat cheese definitely kicks it up a notch; I love how creamy and tangy it is, and I love that I can cook everything in one pot!

    I subbed in meatless ‘beef’ and a jar of roasted garlic marinara sauce that I had on hand – it was perfect, I’m definitely adding this to my list of recipes to make regularly.

    Thank you so much for this recipe, it’s definitely a new favorite!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 5/7 at 8:51 am

      Ah YAY!! thank you so much! I am SO glad you enjoyed!!

      Reply
  27. Jen says

    Posted on 5/24 at 9:24 pm

    This was so delicious but also so easy. It took literally no effort and it was so flavorful, it is definitely going into our regular rotation!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 6/1 at 10:44 am

      YAY! Thank you!

      Reply
  28. Stephanie says

    Posted on 5/28 at 1:52 pm

    I made this last night and my whole family of five loved it. It was easy and delicious – the perfect weeknight meal for anyone who is busy. I can imagine stirring in some fresh spinach for an extra kick of veggies too.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 6/1 at 10:43 am

      amazing! Thank you!

      Reply
  29. Frances says

    Posted on 6/28 at 4:43 pm

    This actually became a fallback recipe for us this last winter. I’ve always had some kind of goat cheese in the fridge and have started keeping Bonza pasta and Primal Kitchen’s tomato basil marinara on hand as well. I’ve never really been a marinara fan but with the addition of the goat cheese it’s a very comforting warm dish.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 7/1 at 9:24 am

      amazing! thank you!

      Reply
  30. Nicky says

    Posted on 7/20 at 12:23 am

    You will love this pasta as much as my nephews! Going out of town this week.
    I made a big pot of this or what my nephews call “Uncle Nick Pasta” for my husband to enjoy while I’m gone. It is creamy and yummy and perfect!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 7/25 at 8:22 pm

      love that!! thank you!

      Reply
  31. Raquel says

    Posted on 9/13 at 11:11 pm

    This has become a weekly rotation in our home. Such a great and easy recipe. Thank you for sharing it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/14 at 11:21 am

      That’s awesome and makes me so happy!

      Reply
  32. Ivy says

    Posted on 9/24 at 5:47 pm

    Amazing recipe and method for cooking. Added a few extra spices like garlic, red pepper flakes and used seasoned sausage instead of the beef which really added lots of flavor. Also have never used goat cheese for a creamy pasta before, and it turned out perfect! This is a simple and fast recipe would highly recommend and make again

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/27 at 5:49 pm

      Thanks Ivy! The goat cheese really does something magical. Glad you loved it.

      Reply
  33. Nancy Follman says

    Posted on 10/18 at 7:12 pm

    This is a quick, delicious spin on a regular pasta dish. Love it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/20 at 2:26 pm

      Thanks Nancy!

      Reply
  34. Adam D says

    Posted on 10/18 at 7:18 pm

    I really like the videos on that are on the blog!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/20 at 2:27 pm

      Thanks so much! That means a lot because a lot of time goes into them!

      Reply
  35. Nicole says

    Posted on 2/6 at 8:32 am

    Made this last night and I absolutely loved it! I’m excited to have the leftovers for lunch this week! The addition of goat cheese is genius!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  36. Alivia says

    Posted on 3/15 at 5:48 pm

    Absolutely delicious and toddler approved!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  37. Erica says

    Posted on 8/17 at 9:31 am

    Do you think a garlic & herb goat cheese log would work, and jar meat flavored sauce instead of marinera? I have them on hand (currently staying in a hotel studio while husband is training for new job) and this recipe sounds delicious!! Thank you in advance!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 8/24 at 2:26 pm

      I think those would definitely work! the flavors may be a little different, but the concept will work.

      Reply
  38. Keith says

    Posted on 10/19 at 11:08 pm

    Super easy and comforting dish! Used unsalted chicken broth instead of water, and threw in some chopped onion with the ground beef. Great dinner!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/20 at 1:40 pm

      thanks so much Keith! those additions sound great

      Reply
  39. Marguerite says

    Posted on 3/5 at 7:04 pm

    So easy and delicious! Perfect weeknight meal that’s quick and comforting. Love the tang the goat cheese adds!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  40. Marguerite says

    Posted on 3/5 at 7:05 pm

    Perfect weeknight meal that’s quick, easy, and comforting. Love the tang the goat cheese adds!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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