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Spaghetti Meat Sauce

Spaghetti Meat Sauce

A quick and easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce recipe combining savory ground meat and tangy tomato sauce, perfect for comforting weekday dinners and family meals. Ready in under 30 minutes, this classic Italian-inspired dish offers rich flavors and versatility with options for dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz spaghetti pasta

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Measure out the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Have the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste ready for use.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula to create a crumbly texture.
  3. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Push the browned meat to one side of the pan or remove briefly. Add the chopped onions to the oil and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  4. Build the Sauce: Combine the meat back with onions and garlic. Stir in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
  5. Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well but reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
  6. 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 loosen it. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or cheese as desired.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic for the most aromatic and vibrant flavor.
  • Allow the meat to brown thoroughly to deepen flavor.
  • Simmer sauce slowly to fully develop flavors and prevent burning.
  • Reserve pasta water to help bind and give the sauce a glossy finish.
  • Season gradually and taste as you go to avoid over-salting.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti, meat sauce, quick dinner, Italian, comfort food, family meal, easy recipe