Quick Thick Spaghetti Sauce with Meat
Transform weeknight dinners with this Quick Thick Spaghetti Sauce with Meat, a hearty and flavorful recipe that comes together in just 30 minutes. Made with savory ground beef, aromatic garlic, sweet diced onion, and rich crushed tomatoes, this sauce is perfectly thickened with a touch of tomato paste and gently spiced with Italian seasoning. A pinch of sugar balances the acidity, while optional red pepper flakes add a subtle kick for spice lovers. Simmered to perfection, this quick and easy meat sauce clings beautifully to spaghetti noodles, making it a comforting classic for the whole family. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve up a restaurant-quality meal at home in no time! Perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or a satisfying pasta night, this recipe is a must-try.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.5 cup water or broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water or broth to the pan. Stir well to combine.
Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, black pepper, and (if using) red pepper flakes. Stir everything together.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes to thicken and develop the flavors.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed.
Serve over hot, cooked spaghetti noodles and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
429 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.4 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.0 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 76 mg | 25% | |
| Sodium | 817 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.8 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.2 g | ||
| Protein | 22.4 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 78 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 4.0 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 769 mg | 16% | |
*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.
