Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
A classic and hearty Spaghetti Meat Sauce featuring lean ground beef simmered with a blend of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and flavorful herbs. This easy-to-make sauce is perfect for serving over your favorite pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Author: Viktoria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 sweet onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- ½ teaspoon salt (for cooking beef)
Tomato Sauce Base
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano, and basil
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt (additional)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Cook the Ground Beef and Aromatics: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the finely diced sweet onion, minced garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt. Crumble the beef as it cooks until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease to prevent a greasy sauce.
- Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano, and basil into the cooked meat mixture. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Season and Simmer: Add the granulated sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, additional ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer gently for at least 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer longer if desired to develop deeper flavors. If the sauce begins to boil vigorously or spit, lower the heat accordingly.
- Serve: Spoon the hot meat sauce over cooked pasta of your choice. Garnish with chopped parsley and shredded Parmesan cheese if desired for an added touch of flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Drain the cooked beef thoroughly to avoid a greasy sauce.
- Simmering the sauce longer enhances the flavor and thickens the consistency.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes to the seasonings.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Can be served over spaghetti, fettuccine, or any pasta shape you like.
Keywords: spaghetti meat sauce, ground beef pasta sauce, classic Italian sauce, easy meat sauce recipe, homemade spaghetti sauce