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The Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce

Discover the secrets to making the best homemade spaghetti sauce. Our easy-to-follow recipes and expert tips will have you cooking like a pro.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (optional, for chunkier sauce)
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce (optional, for a smoother sauce)
  • 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  • tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Meat:
    In a large pot or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef (and pork if using) and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks (about 7-10 minutes). Once the meat is browned, drain excess fat if necessary.
  • Sauté the Onions and Garlic:
    Add the chopped onion to the pan with the meat and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  • Add Tomatoes and Seasonings:
    Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (if using), tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Add the sugar, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir everything to combine.
  • Simmer the Sauce:
    If you have red wine, add it now to the sauce, stirring well. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer, uncovered, for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld together, and the sauce to thicken.
  • Adjust Seasoning:
    Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
  • Serve:
    Serve the meat sauce over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired. You can also sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Notes

This homemade spaghetti meat sauce is sure to become a favorite! You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze it for longer storage.
Enjoy your delicious pasta meal! Let me know if you have any questions. 😊
Keyword Meat, Sauce, Spaghetti