Dirty Spaghetti (VIRAL)

My Viral Dirty Spaghetti is the kind of hearty, no-fuss dinner I make when I want something packed with flavor without reaching for a jar of spaghetti sauce.

I start with seasoned ground beef and build the sauce right in the same skillet using tomato paste, garlic, onions, bell peppers, Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. A little flour works with the beef drippings to create a savory gravy-like sauce that clings to every strand of spaghetti.

For an even heartier version, I like adding sliced smoked sausage. It gives the spaghetti another layer of smoky, meaty flavor and makes this feel like a complete comfort-food meal.

This isn't traditional spaghetti with a red tomato sauce. It's savory, beefy, slightly saucy and loaded with flavor. Once those noodles hit the skillet and soak up everything we've built in the pan, that's where the magic happens.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Dirty Spaghetti is perfect when you want spaghetti but don't want another traditional red-sauce pasta. The beef broth, Worcestershire, tomato paste and seasonings create a savory sauce that gets absorbed into the noodles instead of drowning them.

It's hearty, inexpensive, easy to customize and perfect for feeding a family. Adding smoked sausage makes it even better by giving you two different meats and a smoky flavor in every bite. Best of all, most of the sauce comes together in one skillet.

Variations

Cajun Dirty Spaghetti: Add 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and a pinch of cayenne. Andouille sausage would be especially good here.

Cheesy Dirty Spaghetti: Stir in 1 to 1½ cups shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack or mozzarella after adding the pasta.

Spicy Dirty Spaghetti: Add diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce.

Ground Turkey Version: Replace the beef with ground turkey and use a little olive oil when browning since turkey is much leaner.

Extra Saucy: Increase the beef broth from 3 cups to about 3½ cups, then control the final consistency with the simmer time.Creole Style: Add celery along with the onion and bell peppers to bring in that classic onion, pepper and celery flavor base.

Dirty Spaghetti (VIRAL)

Viral Dirty Spaghetti combines ground beef, smoked sausage, peppers, onions and spaghetti in a rich, savory beef sauce. Everything gets tossed together until the noodles soak up that seasoned goodness, making this an easy and filling dinner the whole family can dig into.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1 lb ground beef
• 12 –14 oz smoked sausage
• 4 tablespoon flour
• 2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 small onion
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 to 2 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

 

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
• If using smoked sausage, slice it into rounds. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the sausage for about 3 to 4 minutes, flipping occasionally. Remove and set aside.
• Add the ground beef to the same skillet and cook over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it browns. You don't need to drain the beef unless there is an excessive amount of grease.
• Sprinkle 4 tablespoons flour over the cooked beef. Stir thoroughly and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. The flour will absorb much of the beef drippings and eventually help thicken the sauce.
• Push the beef toward the sides of the skillet to create an opening in the center. Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste directly to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute. Stir it into the beef.
• Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, yellow or orange bell pepper and minced garlic. Cook for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
• Pour in: tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, cups beef broth, teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning, and teaspoon Italian seasoning. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
• Bring the mixture to a strong simmer and cook for approximately 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the sauce to reduce and thicken, but don't cook away all the liquid.
• Add the browned smoked sausage back into the skillet and stir it through the beef mixture.
• Transfer the al dente spaghetti directly into the skillet. Toss thoroughly until every strand is coated with the beef mixture and savory sauce.
• If the spaghetti becomes too dry, add reserved pasta water ¼ cup at a time until you get the consistency you want.
• Give everything one final toss and serve immediately.

Video

Recipe Tips

Don't let the sauce reduce too far before adding the spaghetti.

You want the beef mixture slightly looser than you think it needs to be because the pasta will continue absorbing liquid once you toss everything together.

Also, save at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining your spaghetti. If the noodles soak up too much sauce, add the pasta water a little at a time until everything is glossy and coated again.

Keyword dirty spaghetti, one pot spaghetti, spaghetti recipes, viral spaghetti

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