The Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce (Simple and Flavorful)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil and sauté the vegetables. In an extra-large heated skillet, add the olive oil. Sauté the diced onions and green pepper over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are softened and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and continue cooking for another minute, or until the garlic is fragrant and slightly browned.
2. Brown the ground beef. Add the ground chuck to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the meat, leaving just enough for flavor.
3. Season the meat mixture. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, sweet basil, Italian seasoning, oregano, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly coat the browned meat with the seasoning. This adds flavor to the sauce base.
4. Add the tomatoes and sauce. Stir in the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine, ensuring all the ingredients are mixed through. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
5. Simmer the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.
6. Prepare the pasta. While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the water to prevent the spaghetti from sticking together. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions (usually 7-8 minutes for al dente). Drain the water once the pasta is cooked, reserving a small amount of pasta water if you’d like to thin the sauce later.
7. Combine and serve. Once the sauce is ready and thickened, pour it over the cooked spaghetti, tossing to coat the pasta in the sauce. If you want a looser sauce, add a small amount of reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency. Serve the spaghetti hot, and enjoy with your favorite toppings such as grated Parmesan cheese or fresh basil.

Serving Notes

This spaghetti meat sauce is perfect on its own, but for an extra treat, serve it with garlic bread or a side salad. The rich, savory sauce pairs wonderfully with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated easily in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 10 minutes  |  Cook Time: 1 hour  |  Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 6  |  Calories: Approx. 640 kcal per serving