Description
A hearty, beginner-friendly spaghetti meat sauce made with pantry staples. Quick to prep, hands-off simmering, and freezer-friendly for easy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or mix with Italian sausage)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- Grated Parmesan and chopped parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4–5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add tomato paste and cook 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Sprinkle in oregano and basil. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and sugar. Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
- Lower heat, partially cover, and simmer 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve over cooked spaghetti and top with Parmesan and herbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 servings
- Calories: 194 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 728 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 39 mg
