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The Ultimate Old-Fashioned Spaghetti Recipe

The Ultimate Old-Fashioned Spaghetti Recipe


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4.5 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Classic Italian Spaghetti masterfully blends rich tomato sauce with perfectly al dente pasta, offering comfort straight from grandmother’s kitchen. Family gatherings come alive with each twirled forkful of this timeless Mediterranean delight you’ll treasure forever.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Vegetables:

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 0.5 cup green bell peppers, diced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 small can (6 ounces) tomato paste

Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.25 cup water

Pasta:

  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • Salt for boiling water

Garnish:

  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat at 350°F, methodically breaking down meat and eliminating excess fat.
  2. Incorporate diced onions, green bell peppers, and minced garlic into the skillet, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become translucent and aromatic.
  3. Pour crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and seasonings (oregano, basil, sugar, salt, pepper) into the meat mixture, reducing heat to low and allowing sauce to gently simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring intermittently.
  4. Simultaneously, prepare a large pot of salted water, bringing to a rolling boil and cooking spaghetti until perfectly tender yet firm (al dente), typically 8-10 minutes.
  5. Drain pasta thoroughly without rinsing, then carefully fold spaghetti into the robust meat sauce, ensuring each strand is generously coated with the rich, savory mixture.
  6. Transfer to serving dishes, elegantly garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and finely chopped parsley for a classic, rustic presentation.

Notes

  • Choose leaner ground beef like 90/10 or turkey meat for a healthier version that reduces overall fat content.
  • Rinse canned tomatoes to lower sodium levels and create a lighter sauce base.
  • Allow sauce to simmer longer for deeper, richer flavor development and more tender meat texture.
  • Experiment with adding a splash of red wine during sauce cooking to enhance complexity and depth of taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 479 kcal
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 405 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg