One-Pot Vegetarian Spaghetti

This one-pot vegetarian spaghetti is made with marinara sauce and Impossible meat for a meaty and satisfying 30-minute meal! This recipe is vegan and super easy to customize.

If you're anything like me, convenient meals are on repeat this time of year. I always have store-bought marinara sauce and pasta on hand for things like stuffed shells and chili mac, but sometimes I crave good ole spaghetti.

That's where this one-pot meaty vegetarian spaghetti comes in. The pasta cooks in the marinara, resulting in a silky sauce and a weeknight-approved meal.

Recipe features

• Dietary-features: vegetarian, vegan, nut-free, easily modified to be gluten-free and soy-free
• Quick & easy: Made in one pot in under 30 minutes
• Versatile: Easy to customize with different plant-based proteins and veggies
• Perfect for meatless weeknight meals and meal prep

This is a great recipe to serve meat-eaters because the Impossible meat is amazingly realistic. It's the perfect option for meatless pasta that still kind of has meat.

If you've made my no-boil vegan pasta bake or one-pot chili mac, then you know the glory of having minimal cleanup. One-pot spaghetti may not be the most traditional way to cook pasta, but it has all the same coziness with even more convenience.

What you'll need

• Marinara sauce: Choose a 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce. I do plain or "classic" marinara but you can choose Italian seasoned, spicy, etc.
• Spaghetti: I break the spaghetti in half so that it easily fits in the pot.
• Impossible meat or another vegan meat alternative. I use the Impossible burger meat. Make sure that it is completely thawed before cooking it.
• Balsamic vinegar adds depth and flavor to the sauce. An equal amount of red wine vinegar can be used as needed.
• Italian seasoning, onion powder, and garlic adds flavor to the Impossible meat. I recommend using a salt-free Italian seasoning.
• Spinach adds a pop of color and plant-based iron. Arugula or kale also work.

Step by step instructions

You will need a 5 quart or larger stockpot or dutch oven.

1. Heat the pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the impossible meat. You don't need to add oil because the meat has its own fat. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, pepper, onion powder, and garlic.
2. Crumble the "meat" into ground consistency and cook until almost completely browned (it should still have some pink bits). Add in the tomato paste. Cook another 2 minutes to toast the tomato sauce, stirring occassionally.
3. Deglaze the pot with balsamic vinegar. Add the sugar, marinara sauce, and vegetable broth. Bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat. Once boiling, lay the broken spaghetti onto the sauce. Press the spaghetti down so that it's fully covered by liquid. Reduce the heat to a low simmer.
4. Cover and cook for 15 minutes total, removing the lid every 5 minutes to stir the spaghetti. The spaghetti is ready when cooked through to al dente.

Stir in spinach just before serving. Taste for salt and enjoy.

Customization and FAQ

• Pasta: You can use whole wheat, protein, or gluten-free spaghetti. I haven't tested this recipe with any other shape but all kinds of pasta should work.
• Proteins: I went with Impossible burger meat for a classic meaty pasta feel, but any kind of protein works. Try plant-based Italian sausages, Beyond meat, etc. You can even use tempeh, like the Italian seasoned tempeh I use in my tempeh pasta bake.
• Veggies: Feel free to saute veggies alongside the meat. Bell peppers, chopped mushrooms, and diced onion would all go well.
• Salt: I usually recommend salting the water when cooking pasta, but because Impossible meat and most storebought marinara sauces are already quite salty, you don't need to do so. I recommend salting to taste after cooking.
• Sauciness: For a thicker sauce, continue simmering uncovered until the sauce reaches desired consistency. For a thinner sauce, add in ½ cup extra vegetable broth.
• Toppings: Keep it vegan with vegan parm or make it vegetarian with shredded Parmesan, asiago, or mozzarella cheese.

Looking for more pasta recipes?

If you're looking for creamy one-pot pasta, you'll love this spicy vegan pasta recipe.

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