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Plate of spaghetti topped with homemade meat sauce garnished with basil.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

A quick and easy spaghetti with meat sauce recipe that pleases picky eaters and gets dinner on the table fast, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 12 oz Spaghetti Any long pasta works.
  • 1 lb Ground beef Lean or regular both work.
  • 1 medium Onion, diced Adds sweetness and depth.
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced Or 1 tsp garlic powder in a pinch.
  • 24-28 oz Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes For a chunkier texture.
  • 1/4-1/2 cup Milk or cream To soften acidity and make the sauce silkier.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Freshly grated if possible.
  • 1 tsp Salt To taste, start with 1 tsp for the sauce.
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper To taste.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning A simple dried herb blend.
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil For browning the beef and softening the onion.
Optional Add-ons
  • 1 pinch Red pepper flakes If your family likes a little heat.
  • 1 cup Bell peppers or mushrooms, diced For extra veggies.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh basil or parsley, chopped For a bright finish.
  • 1 medium Carrot, grated or finely diced Adds sweetness and nutrients.
  • 1 piece Parmesan rind Simmer in the sauce for extra flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Toss the diced onion into the skillet and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes). Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 15–20 minutes.
  6. Stir in milk or cream and simmer another 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted.
  7. Taste and add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to suit your family. Serve sauce over the drained spaghetti.

Notes

To save steps, stir grated carrot directly into hot sauce while it simmers. Use a larger skillet for sauce and pot for pasta; fewer dishes help during cleanup.