One Pot Cheesy Tomato Beef Spaghetti

For nights when I don’t want to think about dinner I make this. Using mostly pantry ingredients and veggie scraps from the fridge, it's something I know my kids and husband love to eat. It's warm, hearty, and easy to cook too!
Everything goes into one pot, simmers quietly, and somehow tastes like I tried harder than I did. 🤍

Why I Love It:

✔️ One pot = minimal cleanup after dinner
✔️ The anchovies, soy sauce, and mushrooms add a deep umami boost
✔️ Lots of hidden veggies - carrots, celery, mushrooms and spinach blend right into the sauce
✔️ Cheesy, saucy, and always a hit with the kids

Ingredients:

(Serves 3-4)

• 400g minced beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 3 anchovies + 1 tsp anchovy oil
• 4 shiitake, button, or portobello mushrooms, sliced
• ½ can tomato paste (70g)
• 300g cherry tomatoes OR 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 beef stock cube OR beef stock
• 1 tbsp fried shallots
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp Italian spice blend (or mix of oregano + basil)
• 1L water or beef stock
• 1 handful baby spinach
• 200g shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ pack spaghetti (250g) More if you've got big appetites!

Instructions:

1. Heat your pan and do the stainless steel water test, when droplets dance, it’s ready.
2. Add oil, then sauté carrots, onion, celery, and garlic until golden brown.
3. Add minced beef and cook until the water evaporates and the beef starts browning.
4. Stir in mushrooms, anchovies, tomato paste, tomatoes, stock cube, fried shallots, soy sauce, and 1L water.
5. Add the pasta directly into the pot. Keep stirring from the bottom of the pan every few minutes to prevent sticking.
6. Cover and simmer for about 8 minutes longer than the pasta packet instructions. Every brand of pasta is different so taste test the spaghetti to check if it's cooked every few minutes. Add more water if needed.
7. Once fully cooked (about 20 mins total), stir in baby spinach to wilt.
8. Sprinkle mozzarella on top, cover, and let it melt for a few minutes before serving.

Optional Garnish:
Top with minced parsley, dried oregano, cracked black pepper, chilli flakes or a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness.

👶🏻 Toddler-Friendly Tip:

Scoop out a portion before adding cheese or soy sauce for a lighter, low-sodium version.
The sauce also freezes beautifully, perfect for quick toddler lunches.