How do I avoid a greasy or fatty sauce?

There are a few ways to do this. You can start by cooking with a leaner ground beef. You can also drain some of the excess grease after browning the ground beef and Italian sausage.

How can I adjust the consistency of my sauce?

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the pasta water to loosen it. If it's too watery or thin, let it simmer, uncovered, a bit longer and it will thicken naturally.

Can I add extra vegetables to the sauce?

Yes! Vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach can be added. Dice the vegetables and cook with the ground beef and Italian sausage. You can also add cooked lentils for a fiber boost.

How do I prevent the spaghetti from sticking together?

Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain, and immediately toss with a drizzle of olive oil or a little bit of the meat sauce to keep it separated.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (Easy, Delicious & Family Favorite)

Name: Easy Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef; 8 oz. Italian sausage; 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning; 1 tsp. sea salt; 28 oz. crushed tomatoes; 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar; 2 Tbsp. butter; 1 Tbsp. sugar; 1/2 white onion (left in tact, don’t chop); 1 lb. spaghetti; Grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes for serving

Description

This easy homemade spaghetti and meat sauce recipe is rich, hearty, and flavorful. Perfect for family dinners!

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 lb. ground beef
8 oz. Italian sausage
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. sea salt
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 white onion (left in tact, don’t chop)
1 lb. spaghetti
Grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes for serving

Instructions

Heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the Dutch oven. Season with Italian seasoning and salt and break meat up with a spoon. Cook until meat is browned, about 7-9 minutes.
Add crushed tomatoes, red wine vinegar, butter, and sugar to meat mixture. Stir together. Submerge onion half (leave it whole as we’ll remove it after cooking) into sauce. Simmer meat sauce over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Remove onion before serving.
While sauce is cooking, cook pasta according to package instructions to al dente.
Serve meat sauce over spaghetti and serve with grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes to taste.

Notes

Storage: Store leftover spaghetti and meat sauce in separate containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat sauce in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Freezer storage: You can also freeze the meat sauce in pre-portioned containers (souper cubes are perfect for this!) and store it in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Ingredient notes: Feel free to swap out the ground beef for another ground meat, and add additional toppings or fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
Prep ahead: If you’d like to make the sauce ahead of time, simply prepare the meat sauce for spaghetti according to the directions and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. When you’re ready to eat, reheat on the stove and cook your pasta.
Special tools: A Dutch oven works well for the sauce and can be covered to prevent any splatters! We love freshly grated Parm with the microplane zester, tableside like restaurants!
Serve with: Garlic bread, Italian chopped salad (or lemon kale salad).
Nutrition: The nutrition facts for spaghetti with meat sauce are an estimate and do not include any toppings.