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Easy Spaghetti Recipe with Meat Sauce

Tender spaghetti tossed with a savory homemade tomato meat sauce made with ground beef, crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 People
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • Spaghetti
  • 12 ounces dried spaghetti
  • Salt , for pasta water
  • Meat Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can , 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • For Serving
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley, optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Colander
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned.
  2. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  8. Toss drained spaghetti with the meat sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening.
  9. Serve with grated Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley, if desired.