Description
Spaghetti Meat Sauce is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with garlic, onions, and herbs, served over spaghetti noodles. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar (if using), red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Taste sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve sauce over cooked spaghetti. Top with grated Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
- Make sauce ahead—flavors improve after resting.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Add chopped carrots or mushrooms for extra veggies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 55mg