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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 classic Italian-American dish featuring tender spaghetti tossed in a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce. This comforting recipe uses simple pantry ingredients to create bold, nostalgic flavors perfect for family dinners or cozy nights. With its hearty texture and customizable options, it’s a soul-warming meal that pleases everyone at the table.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or beef-pork mix
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 12 oz spaghetti pasta
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic. Measure out your seasonings and keep everything within reach to ensure a smooth cooking process.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or meat of choice) and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon to develop rich flavors through caramelization.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Once the meat is browned, add the chopped onion and garlic to the pan. Cook for about 3–5 minutes, until the onions are translucent and the garlic fragrant, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
  4. Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one minute to deepen its flavor. Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  5. Simmer to Perfection: Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken beautifully.
  6. Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water to adjust the sauce if needed.
  7. Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce, adding reserved pasta water if you prefer a looser sauce consistency. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Use high-quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor depth.
  • Allow the sauce to simmer slowly; a longer cook time intensifies taste and thickens the sauce naturally.
  • Salt the pasta water well to season the spaghetti from the inside out.
  • Drain pasta but do not rinse to preserve starches that help the sauce cling better.
  • Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley just before serving to brighten the dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti, meat sauce, Italian-American, classic pasta, comforting meal, family dinner

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