Here’s a classic old-school spaghetti with ground beef and tomato sauce recipe—simple, hearty, and comforting.
🍝 Old-School Spaghetti with Ground Beef & Tomato Sauce
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
- Boil spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Brown the ground beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Sauté onion and garlic
- Add chopped onion to the beef and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Make the tomato sauce
- Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Stir well and simmer over low heat for 15–20 minutes to blend flavors.
- If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time.
5. Combine pasta and sauce
- Toss cooked spaghetti in the sauce until well coated.
- Let it simmer together for 2–3 minutes so pasta absorbs some flavor.
6. Serve
- Plate spaghetti and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
🔥 Tips for the Best Classic Spaghetti
- For richer flavor, sauté the garlic and onions in butter along with olive oil.
- Add a splash of red wine to the sauce for depth.
- Let the sauce simmer longer if time allows—it develops a more traditional “old-school” taste.
If you want, I can give a version with hidden veggies for added nutrition that tastes just like the classic spaghetti everyone loves.
Do you want me to do that?
