Easy One-Pot Spaghetti Dinner with Rich Tomato Sauce and Melty Cheese – A Southern Spin on a Weeknight Favorite

Picture This, Darlin’…

You lift the lid of that trusty ol’ skillet, and a steamy wave of tomatoey goodness kisses your cheeks like a summer breeze on the back porch. Long strands of tender spaghetti are bathed in a rich, savory sauce, clingin’ like your Sunday dress on a humid July afternoon. Juicy ground beef, sweet onions, and fresh garlic bubble in that crimson sauce, all tangled together with melty mozzarella and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Mercy!

It’s hearty, it’s heavenly, and it’s all made in one single pan—so you’ll still have time for your stories and a glass of sweet tea before the sun sets.

A Story as Southern as Biscuits and Gravy

Now let me tell you a little tale about how this recipe came to be. Back in the day, my Aunt Pearl used to make her spaghetti in a big ol’ stockpot and a separate skillet—bless her heart, the woman used every pan in the house. But one summer night, the power blinked and I said, “That’s it—I’m makin’ supper in one pan and one pan only.”

So, I flipped through an old community church cookbook (you know the kind with spiral binding and prayer requests scribbled in the margins) and found a humble recipe called “Pantry Pasta.” After some Granny B doctorin’—a dash of garlic, a spoonful of love, and a whole heap of cheese—it turned into the one-pan wonder we know and love today.

One-Pan Southern Spaghetti

Serves: 4–6 sweet souls
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: Just enough for a porch swing confession and a few laughs

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or sausage (whichever’s on sale)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
• 2 ½ cups water or broth
• 8 oz dry spaghetti (break in half if needed)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (plus a little extra to make it pretty)
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (if you’re feelin’ fancy)

Step-by-Step Instructions (With Granny B’s Sass & Smarts)

1. Prep the Stage
Grab your biggest, baddest skillet with a lid (or one you can cover with foil if you’re feelin’ rebellious). No need to preheat an oven today—we’re doin’ this stovetop style, honey.

2. Brown the Meat
Throw your ground beef in the skillet over medium heat and give it a good stir. When it’s almost browned, toss in your onions and garlic. Sauté ‘til the onions are soft and smell like Sunday supper. Drain off any extra grease—this ain’t a grease gravy, baby.

3. Add the Sauce and Spaghetti
Pour in your marinara sauce, water (or broth if you want to feel extra gourmet), and seasonings. Stir it all together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Then gently lay in that dry spaghetti—like you’re tucking a sleepy baby into bed. Don’t stir too much now; just press it down so it’s covered.

4. Let It Simmer
Cover that skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 15–17 minutes, givin’ it a stir every now and then to keep it from stickin’. If it starts lookin’ dry before the pasta’s cooked, add a splash more water like a good Southern woman adds butter—without apology.

5. Add the Cheese & Finish
Once your pasta’s tender and your sauce is lookin’ luscious, sprinkle in the mozzarella and stir gently. Then go ahead and top with another handful of cheese, pop that lid back on, and let it melt into gooey perfection.

6. Serve & Swoon
Spoon it into bowls, top with a lil’ green if you’ve got it, and call the family to the table. Watch their eyes light up like fireflies in June. This dish is like a warm hug and a good gossip rolled into one.

Picture This….

Picture this: a deep cast-iron skillet nestled atop a well-worn wooden table, resting on a red-checkered cloth passed down from your Meemaw. Cheese stretches like golden threads as a serving spoon dips into the spaghetti, revealing glistening noodles beneath. Steam curls like an old Southern love song into the evening air, and somewhere, someone’s already askin’ for seconds.

Whether you’re feedin’ a crowd or just need a little cozy in your life, this one-pan spaghetti is a guaranteed winner, sugar. Fewer dishes, more flavor, and a whole lotta love.

Love, Granny B 💕