A classic, comforting spaghetti recipe with a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. Perfect for a family dinner!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage, or a mix)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions:
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or sausage) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add the oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.