Description
Classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is a warm and comforting meal featuring tender spaghetti noodles and a rich, savory meat sauce simmered to perfection. This hearty, family-friendly dish uses simple pantry staples to deliver satisfying flavors and is perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For Garnish (Optional)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil
- Drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Peel and finely dice the onion and garlic. Measure out the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices so everything is ready to go, making the cooking process smooth and stress-free.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water for adjusting the sauce.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Brown the Meat: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink and nicely browned, which brings out a rich, caramelized flavor essential to the sauce.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for at least 20 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully and the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti noodles into the sauce or spoon the hearty meat sauce over the pasta. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired for a classic, inviting presentation.
Notes
- Use quality ground beef with good marbling for enhanced flavor and tenderness.
- Don’t rush the simmering; a slow simmer melds flavors better.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce and help it bind to the noodles.
- Fresh garlic provides better aroma and depth than garlic powder.
- Taste and adjust seasonings at the end for balanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: spaghetti, meat sauce, classic Italian, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal