• May 27, 2023
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Easy Spaghetti with Homemade Meat Sauce

Looking for a quick and satisfying meal for a busy weeknight? Say goodbye to store-bought sauce and try this easy and delicious homemade spaghetti with meat sauce. It's a comforting classic that will leave your family asking for seconds.

• 10 ingredients
• 45 minutes
• 8 Servings

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 pound lean ground beef (90% or leaner)
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped shallot to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute, until the ingredients have softened and become fragrant.
4. Add the lean ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. Stir in the chopped flat-leaf parsley and season the sauce with salt to taste.
7. Place the cooked spaghetti on individual serving plates.
8. Spoon the meat sauce generously over the spaghetti, allowing it to cascade over the top.
9. Serve the spaghetti hot, with the sauce beautifully presented on top.
10. Garnish each plate with grated Parmesan cheese to add a touch of savory richness.

Notes

Quality ingredients: Opt for high-quality ingredients, such as fresh garlic, shallots, lean ground beef, and crushed tomatoes, to ensure maximum flavor in your sauce.

Al dente pasta: Cook the spaghetti until it is al dente, which means it should be tender yet still slightly firm when bitten. This will prevent the pasta from becoming overly soft or mushy when mixed with the sauce.

Seasoning and flavors: Taste the sauce as it simmers and adjust the seasoning to your preference. You can add additional herbs like basil or oregano, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.

Let the sauce simmer: Allowing the sauce to simmer for 15-20 minutes helps the flavors meld together and intensify. It also gives the sauce a chance to thicken slightly.

Garnish with fresh herbs: Just before serving, sprinkle some fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley over the spaghetti and sauce. The vibrant color and fresh flavor will add a lovely finishing touch.

Presentation: When serving, place the cooked spaghetti on individual plates and spoon the sauce generously over the top. This not only creates an appealing presentation but also allows each person to customize the amount of sauce they prefer.

Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over each plate of spaghetti for added richness and a burst of savory flavor.

Pair with a side dish: Consider serving the spaghetti with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad to complete the meal.

Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store the spaghetti and sauce separately to prevent the pasta from absorbing all the sauce. When reheating, warm the sauce separately and then combine it with the pasta for the best texture and flavor.

Nutrition Detail