Savory Spaghetti with Hearty Tomato Meat Sauce

Ingredients

- 1 pound spaghetti
- 4 quarts water
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1/2 cup water or beef broth
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta:
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt.
- Add 1 pound of spaghetti to the boiling water. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cook until al dente, about PT9M (9 minutes). Adjust time as necessary according to package instructions.
- Drain and return spaghetti to the pot, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and toss to coat.

2. Cook the Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about PT5M (5 minutes).
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another PT1M (1 minute) until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef (or Italian sausage) to the skillet. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about PT7M (7 minutes).
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Add water or beef broth to achieve the desired consistency. Stir well to combine.
- Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer, partially covered, for about PT20M (20 minutes), stirring occasionally. Add sugar if preferred for sweetness balance.

3. Finalize and Serve:
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the fresh basil just before serving.
- Serve spaghetti on plates topped with a generous ladle of meat sauce.
- Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Total Time

PT38M
38 minutes

Type of Dish

Supper

Keywords

Spaghetti, Meat Sauce, Italian, Comfort Food, Pasta Recipe, Easy Dinner, Tomato Sauce, Ground Beef, Italian Sausage, Savory Dish

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total 2160 calories for the entire dish

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