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I've been whipping up this Meaty Spaghetti Sauce forever and my family always comes running when they smell it cooking. That wonderful scent of tomatoes bubbling away with seasoned beef always reminds me of those old-fashioned Sunday meals at Grandma's. Everyone in my house begs me to make this comfort dish regularly.
Crowd-Pleasing Pasta Dinner
The thing I can't get enough of with this dish is how straightforward yet totally filling it is. As the sauce cooks down, it gets so deep and tasty, and when you mix it with al dente spaghetti, it's just wonderful. My little ones always want more and we hardly ever have any left.
Ingredients List
- Fresh Ground Chuck: 2 pounds for the tastiest results.
- Tomatoes (Diced): One 14.5 oz can for chunks throughout.
- Tomatoes (Crushed): A large 28 oz can creates the foundation.
- Tomato Sauce: Two 15 oz cans give perfect consistency.
- Good Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons worth.
- Fresh Garlic: 5 cloves finely minced.
- Yellow Onion: 1 large or 2 medium chopped small.
- Bell Pepper (Green): Gives a wonderful brightness.
- Seasoning Mix: Onion powder garlic powder oregano basil Italian seasoning parsley pepper and sea salt.
- Pasta: 1 pound spaghetti from whatever brand you like.
Creating Kitchen Wonder
- Veggie Prep First:
- Heat your olive oil then cook those peppers and onions until soft and fragrant. Toss in garlic just long enough to release its aroma.
- Meat Next:
- Throw in ground chuck and keep cooking till you don't see any pink spots. Pour off extra grease.
- Add Flavors:
- Now comes the fun part where you add all those herbs and spices to build flavor.
- Build Your Sauce:
- Mix in all tomato products, stir everything well, then let it bubble away slowly for an hour.
- Boil Your Noodles:
- Get water really hot with some salt and oil, then cook spaghetti until it's tender but still has a bite.
- Serve It Up:
- You can toss everything together in one pot or ladle sauce over pasta on plates depending on what your family likes best.
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Handy Cooking Advice
Nothing beats fresh herbs but don't worry if you've only got dried ones handy. Take your time with the sauce cooking down, it really matters. I sometimes pour in whatever wine I'm sipping while cooking. Keep some of that starchy cooking water from the pasta, it works wonders for fixing sauce that's too thick.
Success Secret
This dish makes your home smell incredible and tricks everyone into thinking you slaved over the stove all day. The sauce gets incredibly deep and tasty during its slow cook, and when you mix it with perfectly done spaghetti, you've got the ultimate comfort meal on your hands.
Custom Tweaks
- Meatless Version: Go with fake meat crumbles or cooked lentils instead.
- Spice It Up: Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Extra Cheesy: We can't get enough Parmesan or gooey mozzarella on top.
- No Gluten: Just use your go-to gluten free pasta brand.
Tasty Companions
We always have hot buttery garlic bread nearby to mop up all that amazing sauce. A basic green salad rounds everything out nicely. Grab yourself some red wine or fizzy water with a lemon wedge and dig in.
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Storing Extras
Any leftovers will stay good in your fridge about 3 days. Just warm it up gently on the stovetop when you want more. The sauce freezes really well for up to 3 months, and you can just boil new pasta whenever you're ready to eat it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is it okay to make the sauce early?
Definitely! It gets tastier overnight. Chill up to 4 days or freeze for around 3 months.
- → What ground meat works best?
Go for chuck (80/20) for flavor. Mixing beef with Italian sausage is another delicious option.
- → Can I swap in fresh herbs?
Sure, just use three times the amount and add them at the end to keep the flavors fresh.
- → Why let it cook for so long?
The longer it cooks, the richer the flavor. Thirty minutes is the minimum, but an hour makes it amazing.
- → How can I keep the noodles from clumping?
Use a lot of water, stir the noodles often, and save some pasta water to mix with sauce if needed.
Conclusion
This flavorful meat sauce has a mix of tomatoes, ground beef, and fragrant herbs. Makes a cozy dinner everyone will love.