Description
A quick, budget-friendly spaghetti with meat sauce recipe that is simple, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in under 30 minutes using pantry staples and affordable ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (85% lean)
- 12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti pasta
- 28-ounce (800 g) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to about 4 liters (16 cups) of water. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, usually 8–10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 4 minutes until translucent and slightly soft.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix well.
- Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce (if using), salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Drain the cooked spaghetti and return it to the pot or a large serving bowl. Pour the meat sauce over the pasta and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen it. Avoid overcooking pasta to keep it al dente. Brown ground beef in batches if pan is small to get better caramelization. Simmer sauce slowly to blend flavors. Worcestershire sauce adds depth but is optional.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 25
Keywords: spaghetti, meat sauce, budget dinner, quick dinner, easy recipe, pasta, ground beef, weeknight meal