Spaghetti with Ground Beef Sauce

Why This Works

This recipe is hands down my favorite Spaghetti meat sauce. My Mom used to make this for my brother and me all the time when we were kids and we just loved it. I wanted to still be able to eat this while following WW and there weren't too many ingredients that needed to be changed. The only ingredient that I did change was to use 93% lean ground beef instead of 80% ground beef.

There is a reason spaghetti with meat sauce is such a beloved dinner. The combination of pasta, savory ground beef, and tomato sauce is comforting and satisfying without requiring complicated cooking techniques.

The ground beef adds plenty of flavor and makes the sauce hearty enough for a complete meal. Garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning build a flavorful base, while the tomato sauce brings everything together.

This recipe is also easy to customize. You can use lean ground beef, add extra vegetables to the sauce, or adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. It is also a great recipe for meal prepping because the sauce reheats beautifully.

Ingredients Needed

• Ground Beef 93% - Use lean ground beef to keep the sauce flavorful without making it overly greasy.
• Spaghetti: Regular spaghetti works perfectly, but you can use whole wheat or another pasta variety if you prefer.
• Chopped onion - yellow or white
• Can tomato sauce - When purchasing canned diced tomatoes, it is important to read the label and choose a product with no added salt or sugar if you are looking for a healthier option.
• Can tomato paste - is a thick paste made by cooking tomatoes for several hours to reduce the water content and intensify their flavor.
• Italian Mushroom spaghetti sauce mix or Italian Seasoning Mix
• Sugar - Gives the sauce a little sweetness
• Oregano leaves - is a common herb used in cooking, particularly in Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine. It has a pungent, slightly bitter taste and a strong aroma
• Garlic crushed - Chopped fresh garlic can take some time to chop so I often always use the freshly minced garlic that comes already made in a jar. 

How to Make Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

Step 1: Chop onion and cook it in a skillet over medium-high heat until the onion is cooked through. About 5-7 minutes. 

Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until the beef is no longer pink in the middle. Drain any extra fat. Check out this post for a full tutorial on How to Cook Ground Beef

Step 3: Continue adding the tomato sauce, tomato paste, sauce mix, water, and seasonings to the skillet. Stir really well and let the spaghetti sauce simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. When the cooking is done remove the bay leaf out. 

Storage

Store leftover spaghetti with ground beef sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can store the pasta and sauce together or separately.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through. You can also reheat the leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or extra tomato sauce if needed to loosen the pasta.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this spaghetti with a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, or roasted broccoli for an easy weeknight meal.

Air Fryer Garlic Bread or a slice of crusty bread is another classic pairing. For a lighter option, serve the spaghetti with a large salad topped with your favorite vegetables.