Description
A simple and flavorful homemade spaghetti meat sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, and herbs simmered to perfection. This easy-to-make sauce is perfect for weeknight dinners and pairs wonderfully with cooked spaghetti for a classic Italian-American meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Base and Seasonings
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup water or beef broth
Finishing
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Cooked spaghetti, for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks to ensure even cooking. Drain excess fat if needed to keep the sauce from being greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent, releasing their flavors into the meat.
- Add Tomato Components and Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, sugar (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). These ingredients create the rich, savory base of the sauce.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the water or beef broth and stir everything to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Adjust Seasoning and Finish: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a burst of freshness. Serve the hot sauce over cooked spaghetti for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- This sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
