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Old-Fashioned Spaghetti

A simple, home-style spaghetti dish with a rich tomato and beef sauce, perfect for weeknight meals and comfort food favorites.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup green bell peppers, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp sugar Reduce or omit for a healthier version.
  • 1/2 tsp salt Adjust seasonings to taste.
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 12 oz spaghetti Whole grain or chickpea spaghetti can be used for a healthier option.
  • Salt for boiling water
  • Grated Parmesan cheese For serving.
  • Chopped fresh parsley (optional) For garnish.

Method
 

Cooking the Meat
  1. Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
  2. Add diced onion, green bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Making the Sauce
  1. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cooking the Spaghetti
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain.
Serving the Dish
  1. Toss the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce until fully coated. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.

Notes

Store cooled sauce and pasta separately in airtight containers for best results. Can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat sauce on the stove and add pasta just before serving for best texture.