Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 jar (approximately 25 oz) marinara sauce
- 12 ounces pasta (rotini, rigatoni, or farfalle recommended)
Optional Garnish
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the meat: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt.
- Add sauce and water: Reduce heat to medium. Pour the marinara sauce into the pot with the cooked meat. Fill the empty marinara jar with water (about 3 cups) and add it to the pot. Stir everything to combine.
- Add pasta and simmer: Add the pasta to the pot and stir again. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer—just barely bubbling. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Continue cooking and add more water: Add 1 more cup of water to the pot. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender and cooked through, about 15 minutes more.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use pasta shapes like rotini, rigatoni, or farfalle for best results as they hold sauce well.
- Adjust water quantity as needed depending on pasta type to ensure proper cooking and prevent drying out.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef or turkey with plant-based crumbles or omit meat entirely.
- Stir frequently during cooking to avoid the pasta sticking or burning on the bottom of the pot.
- This recipe can be customized with additional herbs or vegetables added before simmering for varied flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 36 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
