Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Tomato Sauce is a classic, simple pasta dish that’s hearty and family-friendly.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (24 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions (usually 8–10 minutes).
- Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add aromatics
- Add chopped onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Make the sauce
- Add tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Combine and serve
- Toss cooked spaghetti with the sauce or spoon sauce over the pasta.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and herbs if desired.
💡 Tips
- Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or carrots for extra vegetables.
- For richer flavor, let the sauce simmer 20–30 minutes.
- Serve with garlic bread or a side salad.
If you want, I can also show you a restaurant-style spaghetti meat sauce recipe that tastes much richer and only takes about 10 minutes more to make. 🍝
