Pasta with Meat Sauce
Indulge in the comforting classic of Pasta with Meat Sauce, a hearty dish that combines tender pasta with a rich, savory sauce bursting with flavor. This crowd-pleasing recipe features perfectly browned ground beef simmered with aromatic garlic, onions, and a medley of Italian seasonings like dried basil and oregano. The addition of tomato paste and crushed tomatoes creates a luscious base, while a hint of red pepper flakes adds subtle warmth. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is perfect for weeknights or casual dinners, offering a dish that feels both satisfying and effortless. Tossed with your favorite pasta and topped with freshly grated parmesan and optional parsley, this dish is pure comfort food with a restaurant-quality touch. Perfect for family meals, Pasta with Meat Sauce is a versatile, easy-to-make recipe you’ll return to again and again.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 12 ounces dried pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your choice)
- 0.5 cups, grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional) fresh parsley
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, making sure it doesn’t burn.
Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. This should take about 6-8 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen its flavor.
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
Toss the cooked pasta with the meat sauce in the pan. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Divide the pasta among serving plates and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 130.0 g | 167% | |
| Saturated Fat | 46.5 g | 233% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 366 mg | 122% | |
| Sodium | 4026 mg | 175% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 327.8 g | 119% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.7 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 55.2 g | ||
| Protein | 150.4 g | 301% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 844 mg | 65% | |
| Iron | 21.0 mg | 117% | |
| Potassium | 5122 mg | 109% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
