Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
This classic spaghetti with meat sauce is rich, hearty, and made with simple pantry ingredients. Ground beef, tomatoes, and herbs simmer slowly to create a comforting, family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for weeknights, leftovers, or freezing.
Equipment
- large skillet or saucepan
- wooden spoon
- knife
- cutting board
- pot for pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz diced tomatoes
- 16 oz tomato sauce
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and vegetables are soft, about 8–10 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste until well combined and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Serve the meat sauce over hot spaghetti and garnish as desired.
Notes
Simmer longer for deeper flavor. Drain excess grease after browning the beef. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth. Taste before adding extra salt, as canned tomatoes vary in sodium.
Nutrition
Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 18gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 3mg
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