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Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: A Classic, Hearty, and Flavorful Dish

This classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is rich, hearty, and packed with flavor. With a slow-simmered meat sauce made from ground beef, tomato sauce, and Italian seasonings, this dish is comforting, satisfying, and perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce:
  • 1 lb ground beef or mix of beef & Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (optional)
For the Pasta:
  • 12 oz spaghetti noodles
  • Water for boiling
  • Salt for seasoning pasta water
Optional Garnishes & Toppings:
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil
  • Red pepper flakes

Method
 

Cook the Meat:
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add ground beef (or Italian sausage) and cook until browned.
  3. Drain excess grease and add chopped onions.
  4. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, then stir in minced garlic (if using).
Prepare the Sauce:
  1. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook the Spaghetti:
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  3. Drain the noodles and set aside.
Combine and Serve:
  1. Add the cooked spaghetti to the meat sauce and toss to coat evenly.
  2. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Notes

  • For extra depth of flavor, use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 20 minutes to enhance richness.
  • Adding a splash of pasta water to the sauce creates a silkier texture.
  • The sauce tastes even better the next day after flavors meld together.