Welcome to a timeless culinary classic! Spaghetti with meat sauce is a comforting, hearty dish that has been enjoyed by generations. This recipe combines rich ground beef, savory tomato sauce, and aromatic herbs and spices to create a meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Follow this detailed recipe to make a delicious spaghetti meat sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients for the meat sauce and the spaghetti.
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef (preferably 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional, can be replaced with additional beef broth)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons sugar (to balance acidity)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
For the Spaghetti:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Salt for the pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Meat Sauce
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Deglaze with Wine: (Optional) Add the red wine to the pot and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook until the wine is reduced by half, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Season the Sauce: Add the dried oregano, basil, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), bay leaves, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a deeper flavor, let it simmer for up to 1 hour.