Description
Enjoy a comforting classic with this Old-Fashioned Spaghetti recipe featuring a rich homemade beef and tomato sauce simmered to perfection and served over tender spaghetti noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Pasta and Serving
- 12 ounces spaghetti noodles
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, ensuring it is fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat to keep the sauce from being greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the beef in the pan. Sauté together for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions become translucent and the garlic is fragrant, which enhances the sauce’s flavor.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Then reduce the heat to low and let it cook uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so the sauce thickens and flavors meld beautifully.
- Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, prepare the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions, cooking them in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the noodles once cooked.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the drained spaghetti with the sauce or spoon the sauce over the noodles on individual plates. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired for an authentic touch.
Notes
- This sauce can be made ahead of time and tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen.
- Add mushrooms or green peppers to the sauce for extra flavor and texture.
- For a richer, more complex taste, stir in a splash of red wine while the sauce simmers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
