Delicious Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is a delicious and comforting dish that combines tender pasta with a rich, savory meat sauce. It’s a versatile meal that can be adapted to suit various preferences, making it a go-to dinner option for many.
Ingredients
- 1 pound 450g dried spaghetti
- 1 pound 450g lean ground meat, such as ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup 130g chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced, plus 1 tablespoon
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup of water broth, or dry red wine
- 1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- A handful of fresh basil leaves plus extra for garnish
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat (a Dutch oven works great for this).
- Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up into smaller crumbles with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes.
- Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 1 minute while stirring constantly.
- Pour in the water (or broth/wine) and use the wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits of meat or onion stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and a generous pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally and taste the sauce a few times to adjust the seasoning as needed (see notes for seasoning suggestions).
- About 15 minutes before the sauce is done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but start checking for doneness 1-2 minutes before the recommended time.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the fresh basil. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and let it sit for a minute so the pasta absorbs some of the sauce. Toss everything together and serve with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
Storing/Make-ahead: Leftover spaghetti with meat sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also prepare the meat sauce ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it for about three months.
If the sauce tastes flat, try adding a bit more salt to enhance the flavor.
If the sauce is too acidic, a small pinch of sugar can help balance it out.
If the flavor seems lacking, you can boost it with a few dashes of fish sauce, mushroom powder, minced anchovies, or anchovy paste for a rich, savory depth.
For added richness and extra flavor, toss a leftover parmesan rind into the sauce when adding the tomatoes. It won’t melt completely, so just remove the rind before serving.