Classic Meat Sauce for Spaghetti

Prep: 20 minCook: 1 hrmedium
Classic Meat Sauce for Spaghetti

A savory tomato-based sauce enriched with ground beef, aromatic garlic and onion, and a blend of dried basil and oregano. The sauce simmers low and slow for up to an hour, developing deep flavor. Serve over hot spaghetti for a comforting family meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
    ground turkey1:1poultry

    lighter alternative

    Full guide →
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
    whole tomatoes1:1pantry

    requires crushing; similar result

    Full guide →
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp dried basil
    fresh basil1:3herbs

    adds fresher note; stir in during final 5 minutes

    Full guide →
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
    fresh oregano1:3herbs

    adds fresher note; stir in during final 5 minutes

    Full guide →
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • salt(optional)
  • black pepper(optional)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat

  2. 2

    Add diced onions and minced garlic, sauté until translucent

  3. 3

    Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper

  4. 4

    Simmer on low heat for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally

  5. 5

    Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles

Tips

Tip 1

Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking

Tip 2

Adjust salt and pepper to taste at the end of cooking

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Make Ahead

Prepare sauce up to 2 days ahead; reheat gently on stovetop or microwave before serving.

Serve With

Ladle over hot spaghetti noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not skip occasional stirring to avoid scorching or uneven cooking

Watch

Do not use high heat; low heat allows flavors to develop and prevents separation

Substitutions

ground beef
ground turkey1:1poultry

lighter alternative

Full guide →
crushed tomatoes
whole tomatoes1:1pantry

requires crushing; similar result

Full guide →
ground beef
ground lamb1:1poultry

richer flavor profile

Full guide →
dried basil
fresh basil1:3herbs

adds fresher note; stir in during final 5 minutes

Full guide →
dried oregano
fresh oregano1:3herbs

adds fresher note; stir in during final 5 minutes

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →