If you’ve been seeing dirty spaghetti all over TikTok and wondering what it is, you’re not alone. This viral recipe is inspired by dirty rice but swaps the rice for pasta, creating a bold, savory dish packed with flavor.
Instead of a traditional tomato-based sauce, dirty spaghetti uses seasoned ground beef, sausage, and spices simmered in broth. The result is a rich, slightly smoky pasta that’s completely different from classic spaghetti but just as easy to make.
This is a great recipe for when you want something comforting, budget-friendly, and a little different from your usual dinner routine, and yes it actually does look kind of dirty but all the flavors are there! ha
If you like other pasta recipes try these Anna Paul's Viral Turkish Pasta Recipe or Lobster Bisque Pasta Trader Joe's
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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe may look like a lot of ingredients but it's not. It's just got a few chopped vegetables and some spices. Some people even use premade spice mixes like Cajun.
- One pot meal with easy cleanup
- Bold Cajun-inspired flavor
- No traditional tomato sauce needed
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- Quick and filling dinner
- Fun viral recipe to try
🛒 Ingredients Needed for Dirty Spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – helps cook the meat and adds richness
- 8 ounces ground beef – the base of the dish and adds protein, can sub ground turkey if you don't want to pay extra for beef!
- 4 ounces andouille sausage, diced small – adds smoky flavor and spice
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced – adds sweetness and depth
- 1 ½ cups diced bell pepper – part of the Cajun flavor base
- 1/2 cup diced celery – adds texture and balance
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – boosts overall flavor
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – adds savory depth
- 1 teaspoon paprika – adds warmth and color
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin – gives a slightly earthy flavor
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano – adds herb flavor
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme – classic savory seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt – enhances all the flavors
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper – adds heat, adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – balances the dish
- 2 cups beef broth – creates the sauce and cooks the pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti – the base of the dish, you can't call it dirty spaghetti without this!
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce – adds rich savory flavor
- ½ cup sliced green onions – for garnish and freshness
🍽️ How to Make Dirty Spaghetti
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and andouille sausage and cook until browned.
Add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme, salt, cayenne, and black pepper. Mix well.
Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add spaghetti, breaking it in half if needed.
Bring to a simmer and cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Remove from heat and top with sliced green onions before serving.
🔥 Pro Tips Dirty Spaghetti
- Break the spaghetti in half so it cooks evenly
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking
- Add more broth if the pasta needs extra liquid
- Adjust cayenne pepper based on your spice preference
- Use smoked sausage if andouille is not available
🧊 Storage
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of broth
- Can be frozen, but texture is best fresh
Recipe FAQs for Dirty Spaghetti
Dirty spaghetti is a viral pasta recipe inspired by dirty rice. It uses seasoned meat, vegetables, and spices instead of tomato sauce.
It has a mild kick from cayenne and sausage, but you can adjust the heat level.
Yes, but spaghetti works best for this recipe.
Yes, you can use only ground beef, but sausage adds more flavor.
No, the pasta cooks directly in the broth in one pot.
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Dirty Spaghetti
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Casserole
- Cuisine: American
Description
Instead of a traditional tomato-based sauce, dirty spaghetti uses seasoned ground beef, sausage, and spices simmered in broth.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 4 ounces andouille sausage, diced small
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 ½ cups diced bell pepper
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and andouille sausage and cook until browned.
- Add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme, salt, cayenne, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add spaghetti, breaking it in half if needed.
- Bring to a simmer and cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Remove from heat and top with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
Break the spaghetti in half so it cooks evenly
Stir occasionally to prevent sticking
Add more broth if the pasta needs extra liquid
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
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