Description
A quick and delicious recipe for Easy Weeknight Spaghetti that’s perfect for busy evenings. This hearty dish features a savory meat sauce infused with aromatic herbs and served over a bed of al dente spaghetti. Topped with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Spaghetti:
- 1 pound (450g) dried spaghetti
Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound (450g) lean ground meat (beef or turkey)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup (130g) chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup water, broth, or dry red wine
- 1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large pot, brown the meat, then add onion and cook until softened.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook briefly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in water or wine, add crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 25 minutes.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Boil salted water, cook spaghetti until al dente.
- Combine and Serve: Stir basil into the sauce, mix with cooked pasta, and serve with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, sugar, or flavor enhancers like fish sauce or anchovies if needed.
- Adding a parmesan rind to the sauce while cooking adds depth of flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup of sauce with spaghetti)
- Calories: Approx. 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
