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Old-Fashioned Spaghetti with Hearty Meat Sauce

Old-Fashioned Spaghetti with Hearty Meat Sauce
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Old-Fashioned Spaghetti with Hearty Meat Sauce is a classic Italian-inspired dish combining tender spaghetti noodles with a rich, slow-simmered ground beef and tomato sauce. This comforting recipe features aromatic onion and garlic, Italian herbs, and optional red wine for depth, delivering a nostalgic and satisfying family meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti noodles
  • Salt, for pasta water

Garnishes

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and garlic. Gather all other ingredients to ensure smooth preparation and cooking.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until nicely browned, breaking it into small pieces for even texture.
  3. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Push the browned meat to the side of the pan and sauté the diced onion until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant to build a flavorful base.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in red wine if using. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld flavors.
  5. Simmer Slowly: Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce uncovered for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken the sauce and enhance the flavor.
  6. Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta cooking water.
  7. Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce, adding reserved pasta water as desired to adjust consistency. Plate the dish and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optional chopped herbs. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Brown Meat Properly: Ensure the beef is well-browned but not overcooked to maintain rich flavor and good texture.
  • Simmer Low and Slow: Allow ample simmering time to deepen the sauce’s taste and improve thickness.
  • Reserve Pasta Water: Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the noodles.
  • Use Quality Tomatoes: Select good-quality crushed tomatoes for a fresher, well-balanced sauce.
  • Don’t Skip Fresh Garlic: For optimal flavor, use fresh garlic instead of powdered or pre-minced varieties.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti, meat sauce, Italian, classic, comfort food, family meal, hearty sauce, old-fashioned, ground beef

Find it online: https://sophiemelody.com/old-fashioned-spaghetti-with-hearty-meat-sauce/