One Pot Kid Friendly Beef Marinara Pasta
A comforting, family-friendly pasta dish featuring savory lean ground beef simmered in a simple marinara sauce, all cooked in one pot. It is easy to portion out and customize by stirring baby spinach directly into your serving for an extra fiber boost.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Makes
3 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Krissy + Lila
Krissy created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Comfort before bed
Finish the evening satisfied, not stuffed
A well-portioned evening meal can help you avoid going to bed hungry. Notice which timing and portion feel most comfortable for you.
Notice: dinner timing + comfort
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large pot
Time saver
Storage: Store leftovers in airtight glass containers. When reheating, add a tablespoon of water before microwaving to restore the saucy texture.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 7 steps complete
Next: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven…
- 01
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven…
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and dry oregano, cooking for about 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is fully browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed.
Look for: the beef is fully browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add the garlic clove to the pot…
Add the garlic clove to the pot and saute for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Look for: fragrant but not browned
Tap card to mark done - 03
Pour in the marinara sauce and 2…
Pour in the marinara sauce and 2 cups (475ml) of water, stirring well to combine. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Stir in the whole-wheat penne
Stir in the whole-wheat penne. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Look for: the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid
Tap card to mark done - 05
If serving the family
If serving the family, portion out their servings now.
Tap card to mark done - 06
For your serving
For your serving, immediately stir the fresh baby spinach into the hot pasta remaining in the pot. Let it sit covered for 2 minutes until the spinach is fully wilted from the residual heat.
Look for: the spinach is fully wilted from the residual heat
Tap card to mark done - 07
Divide into containers for meal prep or…
Divide into containers for meal prep or serve immediately. This meal keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
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Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.