Here’s a simple, classic Spaghetti recipe with a rich homemade meat sauce (plus easy variations).
Classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (Serves 4)
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or 3 cups homemade)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richness)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- Grated Parmesan, for serving
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Make the Sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer 10–15 minutes to develop flavor.
3. Combine
Add drained spaghetti to the sauce.
Toss well, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen and help the sauce cling.
4. Serve
Top with Parmesan and fresh herbs. Serve hot with garlic bread or salad.
Easy Variations
- Creamy: Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or a spoonful of ricotta.
- Veggie-loaded: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
- Garlic & Oil (No Sauce): Toss spaghetti with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan.
- Meatballs: Swap ground beef for homemade or frozen meatballs.
If you’d like, I can also give you a quick homemade marinara recipe from scratch 🍝
