Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup water (adjust as needed)
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb (450g) spaghetti noodles
- Water, for boiling
- Salt, for the pasta water
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce:
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or saucepan, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar (if using), oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Add water to reach your desired consistency.
- Simmer: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For deeper flavor, let it simmer for up to 2 hours, adding water if the sauce gets too thick.
Cook the Pasta:
- Boil the Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander. Do not rinse the pasta if you want the sauce to cling to it better.
Serve:
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: You can either stir the cooked pasta directly into the sauce or serve the sauce over a bed of pasta on individual plates or a serving dish.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
