One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cheesy Topping

1. Preheat Broiler

Begin by adjusting your oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheating your broiler. This will ensure you get that nice, crispy topping later on.

2. Cook Meat

In a large ovensafe nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking up the meat with a spoon. After about 5 minutes, the meat should no longer be pink. Drain the meat on a paper towel-lined plate and pour off any excess fat from the skillet.

3. Add Aromatics

Return the meat to the skillet and add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano. Cook for about a minute until everything is fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.

4. Add Tomatoes and Spaghetti

Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes, broken spaghetti, water, and salt. Cover the skillet and cook, stirring often, for about 7 minutes. The spaghetti should begin to soften as it absorbs the flavors from the sauce.

5. Simmer Spaghetti

Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, covered, for another 7 minutes until the spaghetti is al dente. This step ensures that the pasta is perfectly cooked and has absorbed the rich flavors of the meat sauce.

6. Add Cream, Basil, and Cheese

Stir in the heavy cream, fresh basil, and 1/3 cup of the shredded Italian cheese blend. This combination will add a creamy texture and a burst of fresh flavor to your dish.

7. Broil Cheese Topping

Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the spaghetti mixture. Place the skillet under the broiler for about 3 minutes, or until the surface is spotty brown and crispy. This will give your dish a delightful, golden-brown cheesy topping.

8. Cool and Serve

Let the skillet cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes it easier to serve.