Description
Old Fashioned Spaghetti is a hearty and classic Italian-American pasta dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a rich and flavorful meat sauce made with ground beef, crushed tomatoes, and a blend of herbs and spices. This comforting meal is topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For Serving
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain off excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in tomato paste, sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low and let it cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Finish and Season: Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce and taste to adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the sauce or spoon the sauce over the pasta on individual plates. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, allow the sauce to simmer longer to deepen the taste.
- Add a splash of red wine during the sauce cooking phase for extra depth.
- This recipe works beautifully with ground pork or Italian sausage as alternatives to ground beef.
