Description
A rich and hearty spaghetti meat sauce made with ground meat, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Simmered to perfection, it’s a comforting classic that clings beautifully to pasta for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar if using.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and toss with a little olive oil.
- Serve spaghetti topped with meat sauce, garnished with Parmesan and basil if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter version.
- Add chopped carrots or bell peppers for extra vegetables.
- Simmer longer or add red wine for deeper flavor.
- Finish with ricotta or garlic oil for added richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
