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Old-Fashioned Spaghetti with Hearty Meat Sauce

Old-Fashioned Spaghetti with Hearty Meat Sauce
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Old-Fashioned Spaghetti with Hearty Meat Sauce is a comforting classic pasta dish featuring a slow-simmered, richly flavored meat sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, it combines simple, high-quality ingredients with traditional cooking to deliver a satisfying and nostalgic meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed or whole peeled tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Garnish

  • 12 oz spaghetti noodles
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  • Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Aromatics: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, building the flavor foundation for your meat sauce.
  2. Brown the Meat: Add ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until evenly browned and no longer pink, ensuring a rich and robust sauce.
  3. Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir in tomato paste and canned tomatoes, crushing whole tomatoes with your spoon if needed. Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red wine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  4. Simmer for Rich Flavor: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors and thicken the sauce.
  5. Cook Spaghetti: Meanwhile, cook spaghetti noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, ready to combine with the meat sauce.
  6. Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti with a generous ladle of meat sauce, coating every strand. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

  • Brown meat properly to develop a flavorful crust.
  • Use high-quality canned tomatoes for best sauce flavor.
  • Simmer sauce low and slow to deepen taste and thicken.
  • Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture with sauce.
  • Add fresh basil or parsley before serving for brightness.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti, meat sauce, Italian, comfort food, classic pasta, family dinner

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/old-fashioned-spaghetti-with-hearty-meat-sauce/