Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe

Picture this: you’re in your cozy kitchen, and the aroma of simmering tomatoes and sizzling garlic fills the air. That’s right, you’re about to dive into crafting the most comforting spaghetti and meat sauce of your life—where every bite is like a warm, delicious hug! 🍝✨

I adore preparing a luscious beef Bolognese sauce that blends rich flavors and appealing textures. My recipe features tender ground beef, simmered in a base of crushed tomatoes, unleashed from their cans and enhanced with—forgive me for saying so—a few very arbitrary liberal amounts of diced onions, minced garlic, and olive oil, which I consider essential in making a good spaghetti meat sauce.

I go fairly easy on the herbs—dried oregano and basil, for the most part—leaving the meat sauce warm and inviting but not too spicy to overshadow the flavor of the beef. I also serve it over spaghetti, which many consider the best way to enjoy a meat sauce.

Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Rich in protein and iron, adds hearty flavor.
• Olive Oil: Heart-healthy fat, enhances richness and depth.
• Onion: Offers subtle sweetness and depth to the sauce.
• Garlic: Known for its antioxidant properties, boosts savory aroma.
• Crushed Tomatoes: High in Vitamin C, provides a tangy base.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies tomato flavor, enhances sauce thickness.
• Dried Oregano: Adds earthiness and aromatic herbal notes.
• Dried Basil: Sweet and slightly peppery, complements tomatoes.
• Parsley: Freshens up the dish with a burst of color and mild flavor.

Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Spaghetti pasta, cooked
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

How to Make this Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe

1. In a big sauté pan or saucepan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Put in the very finely chopped onion and sauté until it is translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. You can watch my video for a visual on this simple technique.

2. Add the garlic, minced, to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

3. Raise the temperature to medium-high and place the ground beef in the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat apart as it cooks. Stir the beef until it is browned and cooked through. If necessary, drain the excess fat.

4. Combine the tomato paste with the beef and onions so that it is thoroughly mixed in. Allow it to cook together for about 2 minutes so that its flavor can deepen.

5. Add the crushed tomatoes; if using, pour in the red wine. Stir to mix all the ingredients thoroughly.

6. Add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the sauce. Make sure to mix well, so the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.

7. Decrease the temperature to low and allow the sauce to simmer slowly, without a cover, for 20-30 minutes so the melding flavors can thicken into a sauce consistency. Stir it now and then.

8. At the same time, prepare the spaghetti following the instructions on the package until it reaches the al dente stage. Drain and set to the side.

9. Stirring the chopped fresh parsley into the sauce just before serving brightens the flavors and makes the sauce taste fresh and new.

10. Pour the sauce atop the cooked spaghetti, and dust with grated Parmesan cheese. Savor your delectable, from-scratch spaghetti with meat sauce!

Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large sauté pan or saucepan
2. Wooden spoon
3. Knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Can opener
7. Spatula
8. Large pot (for cooking spaghetti)
9. Colander (for draining spaghetti)

FAQ

• Q: Can I replace ground beef with another meat?A: Yes, if you like a lighter sauce, ground turkey or chicken is a great alternative.
• Q: How long should I simmer the sauce?A: Allow the sauce to simmer for a minimum of 20-30 minutes to completely develop the flavors. If you have the time, let it go longer; it’s better that way.
• Q: Is the red wine necessary?A: The sauce can be made without the red wine. It adds depth and richness and is somewhat essential for the flavor of the wine sauce. If you make the sauce without the red wine, use beef broth. Do not use something like Kitchen Bouquet, which will make your sauce taste like beef gravy.
• Q: Can I make this sauce ahead of time?A: In accordance with your request, let me assure you that this sauce can indeed be prepared a day in advance. Its flavors can deepen nicely overnight.
• Q: How should I store leftovers?A: For optimal freshness, keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator or the freezer.
• Q: What type of spaghetti works best with this sauce?Any variety of spaghetti works well, but a thicker spaghetti can hold the sauce nicely.

Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Ground beef: Use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option.
Canola oil or vegetable oil may be used if olive oil is unavailable.
Replace shallots with onions for a bolder flavor.
Diced tomatoes: Empty a can of diced tomatoes into a blender and process until smooth.
For red wine: Substitute with non-alcoholic beef broth.

Pro Tips

1. Flavor Enhancement with Aromatics: For an added depth of flavor, consider sautéing a diced carrot and a stalk of celery along with the onion. These vegetables add a natural sweetness and complexity to the sauce.