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Imagine this: It’s a warm Sunday afternoon, and the smell of handmade spaghetti sauce fills the air.

My family is in the kitchen, laughing and talking as they wait for their favorite supper. The memories of these times are ingrained in my heart, and every taste of spaghetti brings me love and comfort.

Spaghetti with meat sauce has a mystical quality. It is a meal that draws people together and makes enduring relationships and traditions. Families all over use this simple dish for both big occasions and weeknight dinners.

What is it about this homemade spaghetti sauce that makes it so good? You probably already have all the simple ingredients you need to make this sauce, which is rich and tasty and coats every strand of spaghetti. You can make more than just spaghetti with it. You can also make Spaghetti Pie, Million Dollar Spaghetti, Slow Cooker Lasagna, and Instant Pot Spaghetti, which are all delicious.

Start by browning ground beef and onion to produce this tasty sauce. Put in some sugar, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian spice, and Worcestershire sauce. Let it simmer on the burner for a while so that the flavors can mix. This will make a sauce that is both strong and soothing.

What makes spaghetti sauce different from marinara or pizza sauce? They all have tomatoes in them, although marinara is often meatless, and pizza sauce is raw and just for pizza. On the other hand, spaghetti sauce is simmered to perfection, which brings out the flavors and adds depth to any dish.

The best part is that you can create this sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a few days or freeze it for later use. This handmade spaghetti with meat sauce is perfect for a family event or a quick and filling meal on a busy weeknight.

Get ready to feel the warmth, comfort, and happiness that a simple meal of spaghetti with meat sauce can bring. Let’s get started and find out what makes this recipe so special.

5 Reasons Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe covers everything you need to make spaghetti sauce at home. It’s not only really easy to create, but it also has a delicious and adaptable flavor that will make you want more. Here are five reasons why you’ll adore this pasta with meat sauce:

Easy and Quick: This dish includes common pantry items, so you can make it any day of the week. You don’t have to go out of your way to get complicated ingredients.
Versatile: This recipe makes a versatile sauce that may be used on more than simply pasta. It has a strong, savory taste that goes well with other foods including Million Dollar Spaghetti, Spaghetti Pie, Slow Cooker Lasagna, and more.
Rich & Flavorful: When you simmer the sauce for a long time, the flavors mix together, making it rich and flavorful that fills your mouth with every bite. The combination of spices, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce in this sauce gives it a depth that will make your taste buds dance.
Make Ahead and Freeze: Life may get busy, and it’s nice to have a meal ready to go when you need it. You may cook the spaghetti with meat sauce ahead of time and freeze it, so you’ll always have a filling dinner ready to eat.
Family Favorite: This handmade pasta with beef sauce has been a family favorite for many years. Its basic and soothing taste makes everyone want to eat together, which brings back memories. This recipe will make everyone happy, whether it’s a weeknight supper or a major event.

This spaghetti with meat sauce recipe is a keeper because it’s quick to make, can be frozen ahead of time, has a homemade touch, and tastes great. It’s time to bring the flavor of hearty, home-cooked food into your kitchen.

List of ingredients and possible replacements

You will need the following things to prepare this spaghetti with meat sauce: ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and ground Italian sausage), onion, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and spaghetti noodles.

These are the ingredients we suggest, but you can also use some other ones. You can change the flavor of the meat by using varying amounts of ground beef and ground Italian sausage. This will make the sauce taste much better. You can use only ground beef if you want a milder taste.

You may also make your sauce your own by adding spices like minced garlic, fresh parsley, or crushed red pepper flakes. These extras will make the tastes stronger and give the dish a more complex taste that will make your mouth water.

Finally, if you don’t like spaghetti noodles, you can choose a different sort of pasta that you like. It’s important to remember that spaghetti noodles are the usual choice for this dish since they provide the meat sauce the right texture.

Classic Hearty Meat Sauce (Ragu or Spaghetti Sauce)

1 Tbsp of olive oil
1/2 pound of ground beef (85/15 or 80/20 is best)
1/2 pound of ground Italian sausage, either mild or hot, with the casing taken off
1 Medium yellow onion, cut very small
2 Carrots, peeled and finely chopped (not necessary, but they provide a lot of flavor and body)
2 Celery stalks, finely chopped (not required, but suggested)
4 Cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup Dry red wine (such Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Chianti; this is optional but highly recommended)
One (28 oz) can of crushed tomatoes, preferably of excellent quality, such San Marzano style.
A can of plain tomato sauce (15 oz)
1/2 cup of water or beef or chicken broth
1 Tbsp of dried oregano
1 Tbsp of dried basil
Optional: 1 tsp of dried thyme
1 Bay leaf
1 tsp Sugar (to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes)
To taste, add salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step-by-step cooking instructions

Put the olive oil in a big Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot and turn the heat up to medium-high.
Add the sausage and ground meat. Use a spoon to break up the meat.
Cook the meat until it is completely brown. Take off any extra fat from the saucepan, but leave in a tablespoon or two for taste.
Take the browned meat out of the saucepan and put it on a plate. Leave the pot on the heat.
If you’re using a pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Over medium heat, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every so often, until the onions are clear and the veggies are tender.
Add the chopped garlic and heat for one minute, or until it smells good (don’t let it burn).
Pour in the red wine (if using). Increase the heat and scrape up any browned bits attached to the bottom of the pot (this is called fond and is full of flavor).
Let the wine simmer and decrease by roughly half (around 3-5 minutes). If you are not using wine, skip this step.
Return the browned meat to the pot.
Mix in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and the half cup of broth or water.
Add the sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir well to mix.
Bring the sauce to a low simmer.
Reduce the heat to the lowest level (just enough to keep a very gentle bubble).
Cover the pot slightly, allowing a tiny gap for steam to escape.
Simmer for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
The long simmer is crucial! It allows the flavors to combine, the acidity to mellow, and the meat and veggies to become extremely tender.
If the sauce turns too thick, add a splash of water or broth.
After simmering, remove and discard the bay leaf.
Taste the sauce and adjust the salt, pepper, or sugar as needed.
Serve over cooked spaghetti, topped with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese!

Stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half just at the end of the cooking procedure. This is a famous Italian accent (particularly in Bologna) that balances out the flavor and gives the sauce a wonderful, velvety texture.

FAQ: Personalization and storage

Can I use a different sort of meat in the sauce?
Yes, you can use different ratios of ground beef and ground Italian sausage to tailor the flavor to your liking.

Can I personalize the sauce with extra ingredients?
Absolutely! You can change the flavor of the sauce by adding garlic, parsley, or crushed red pepper flakes.

Can I use a different variety of spaghetti noodles?
Yes, while spaghetti noodles are the conventional choice, you can use alternative types of pasta noodles if you choose.

How long can I preserve the sauce in the fridge?
You can store the sauce in the fridge for a few days, allowing you to enjoy it for numerous meals.

Can I freeze the sauce?
Yes, you can freeze the sauce for future use. Just make sure to properly store it in an airtight container or freezer bag.