Description
Mama’s Spaghetti is a classic, comforting American-Italian dish featuring a rich, flavorful beef and tomato sauce simmered to perfection. This hearty main course is perfect for a family dinner or weeknight meal, served over al dente spaghetti noodles and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Base
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Garnish
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, allowing the flavors to develop.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Mix the sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Add sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and melding the flavors.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and either return it to the pot or plate immediately.
- Serve: Spoon the meat sauce over the cooked spaghetti and toss gently to coat, or serve the sauce on top of plated noodles. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley as desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or plant-based crumbles in place of ground beef.
- The sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness.
