A timeless comfort dish that brings the cozy warmth of home to every bite. Featuring a slow-simmered tomato meat sauce with tender ground beef, herbs, and classic aromatics, all tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan. A true family favorite!
📋 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
🍖 For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup water
🍝 For the Spaghetti:
- 12 oz spaghetti (or your favorite pasta)
- Salt, for boiling water
🌿 Optional Garnish:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
Drain excess fat.
2️⃣ Sauté the Vegetables:
Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the beef.
Cook for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
3️⃣ Simmer the Sauce:
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Reduce heat to low and simmer 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, to build deep flavor.
4️⃣ Boil the Pasta:
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
Drain and set aside.
5️⃣ Combine & Serve:
Toss spaghetti with the meat sauce until well coated.
Plate and top with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley, if desired.
Serve hot and enjoy the nostalgic, hearty goodness!
⏱ Time & Nutrition
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Calories: ~480 kcal per serving
💡 Tips & Variations
- Use Italian sausage or a mix of beef and pork for extra richness.
- Add a splash of red wine to the sauce for depth.
- Substitute with gluten-free pasta if needed.
📸 Tag & Share:
#OldFashionedSpaghetti #MeatSauceMagic #ComfortFood #ClassicPasta #FamilyDinner #HeartyMeals #HomeCooking
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