Description
Enjoy a comforting bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce, featuring tender pasta coated in a rich, savory tomato sauce loaded with flavorful ground beef. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth
- For the Spaghetti:
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
- Salt for pasta water
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Add the water or beef broth and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the Spaghetti:
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain the spaghetti, reserving a cup of pasta water if needed for the sauce.
- Combine and Serve:
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with lentils or mushrooms.
- Feel free to add chopped vegetables, like bell peppers or carrots, to the sauce for extra nutrition.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g