Spaghetti with Spicy Pork & Mushroom Marinara
This Spaghetti with Spicy Pork & Mushroom Marinara is a bold, hearty pasta recipe packed with savory ground pork, mushrooms, garlic, and jalapeño in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this comforting spaghetti dish is quick to make, family-friendly, and loaded with flavor. Finished with shaved Parmesan and fresh basil, this homemade pasta recipe delivers a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal using simple ingredients.
Equipment
- Large pot (for cooking spaghetti)
- Colander (for draining pasta)
- Large skillet or sauté pan (for sauce and pork)
- Wooden spoon or spatula (for stirring and breaking up pork)
- Chef’s knife (for chopping vegetables)
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Ladle or large spoon (for tossing pasta with sauce)
- Tongs (optional, for tossing spaghetti)
Ingredients
- ½ 250 grams spaghetti noodles 1/2 a 500 gram package
- 1 tablespoon butter for sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter for pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 jalapeño pepper finely chopped
- 6 mushrooms chopped
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 600 ml pasta sauce Marinara with Sweet Basil - 600 ml jar of Classico
- Shaved Parmesan for garnish
- Fresh basil sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.Add spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente.Drain and return to the pot. Add 1 tablespoon butter and toss to coat. Set aside.Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Sauté the mushrooms:In a large skillet or saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.Add the chopped mushrooms and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and their moisture has cooked off.
- Add aromatics:Add the chopped onion to the mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.Stir in the sliced garlic and jalapeño, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the pork:Add the ground pork to the pan. Break it up and cook until fully browned and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes).
- Add the sauce:Stir in the marinara sauce and reduce heat to a simmer.Let it cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Combine and serve:Toss the buttered pasta with the sauce until well coated.Serve hot, topped with shaved Parmesan, fresh ground pepper and a fresh basil sprig.
Reserve some pasta water and toss the spaghetti directly in the spicy pork marinara to create a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that perfectly coats every strand.
Notes
- Use al dente spaghetti for the best texture and to prevent overcooked pasta when mixed with sauce
- Browning the mushrooms first builds deep, savory flavor for a richer pork marinara
- Ground pork adds a juicy, flavorful base that makes this pasta hearty and satisfying
- Adjust jalapeño amount to control spice level for a family-friendly pasta dish
- Remove jalapeño seeds for mild heat or leave them in for extra spicy flavor
- Simmering the sauce helps develop bold, rich marinara flavor
- Add reserved pasta water gradually to create a silky, well-coated spaghetti sauce
- Fresh garlic delivers the best flavor compared to garlic powder
- Toss pasta directly in the sauce for better flavor absorption
- Finish with shaved Parmesan for a restaurant-quality presentation
- Fresh basil adds brightness and balances the rich pork marinara
- This recipe reheats well, making it perfect for meal prep and leftovers
- Use quality jarred marinara sauce for the best flavor and convenience
- For extra richness, stir in a small pat of butter before serving
Nutrition
Serving: 1600 gramsCalories: 402kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 21gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 113mgPotassium: 476mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 185IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
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