Easy Weeknight Spaghetti (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 pound (450g) dried spaghetti.
02 -
1 pound (450g) lean ground meat like ground beef or ground turkey.
03 -
3 tablespoons olive oil.
04 -
1 cup (130g) chopped onion.
05 -
3 garlic cloves, minced, about 1 tablespoon.
06 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste.
07 -
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano.
08 -
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
09 -
1 cup water, broth, or dry red wine.
10 -
1 (28oz) can of crushed tomatoes.
11 -
Salt and fresh ground black pepper.
12 -
Handful of fresh basil leaves, plus more for serving.
13 -
Parmesan cheese, for serving.
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
02 -
Add the ground meat and cook for about 8 minutes until browned, using a wooden spoon to break it into smaller crumbles.
03 -
Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, around 5 minutes.
04 -
Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute while stirring continuously.
05 -
Pour in the water and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any bits of meat or onion sticking to the bottom of the pot.
06 -
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and a generous pinch of black pepper. Bring the sauce to a low simmer and cook uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the seasoning to taste.
07 -
About 15 minutes before the sauce is done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti as per package instructions, testing for doneness a minute or two earlier.
08 -
Remove the sauce from the heat, stir in fresh basil leaves, and toss the cooked pasta in the sauce. Allow it to sit for a minute to absorb flavors, then toss again.
09 -
Serve the spaghetti topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional basil if desired.
# Notes:
01 -
Leftover spaghetti and meat sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
02 -
The meat sauce can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
03 -
Enhance the sauce flavor by adding a pinch of sugar if too acidic or more salt if it tastes flat.
04 -
Consider enriching the flavor with fish sauce, mushroom powder, or anchovy-based condiments for a savory depth.
05 -
Adding a Parmesan rind during cooking can intensify the richness of the sauce.