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.

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.

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.