Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (2024)

This hearty Spaghetti with Meat Sauce recipe is that perfect Italian-inspired dinner ready in under 30 minutes. The meat sauce with pasta is a great combination and the dish is so easy to make.

If you enjoy Italian-Inspired recipes, try our ricotta baked ziti and parmesan chicken pasta recipes.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (1)

Why you’ll love this recipe-

  • So affordable yet tastes great.
  • Easy and quick to make.
  • May be customized to personal preference.
  • Loved by kids and adults alike.

What You’ll Need:

The ingredients the spaghetti with meat sauce are very simple and you most likely already have them on hand.

  • Ground meat- Your favorite ground meat, we used ground pork.
  • Onion & garlic- The fresh onion and garlic add flavor to the meat and sauce.
  • Seasoning- Salt and pepper are all you need for the seasoning.
  • Marinara- Your favorite classic or traditional marinara (pasta sauce) will work great.
  • Pasta- Spaghetti pasta is best in this dish, any brand will work.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (2)

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce-

If you enjoy making your meals in one pot, you’ll love this quick recipe with minimal cleanup!

  • Cook pasta- In a Dutch oven, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain the water and set pasta aside covered to keep warm.
  • Brown meat- In the same Dutch oven, saute the ground meat breaking it apart as it’s being cooked. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
  • Add onion and garlic- Add the diced onion and cook until soft. Add garlic and cook for 20 seconds.
  • Add marinara- Finally, add the marinara and cook until the sauce starts to bubble, turn the heat down and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Combine- Now add the pasta back into the Dutch oven, and toss to combine.
  • Serve and Enjoy.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (3)

Serving Suggestions-

This Italian-inspired dish goes great with your classic Italian dishes. Here are some great ideas to enjoy with the pasta-

  • Homemade Bread Sticks
  • Caesar Salad Recipe
  • Tomato Mozzarella Salad
  • Cucumber Salad Recipe
  • Italian Bread Recipe

Frequently asked questions-

Can I use a different pasta?

Yes, we love the classic spaghetti but angel hair, linguine, and fettuccine will all work. Just be sure to cook the pasta according to the package instructions.

Can I substitute the meat I use?

Yes, you sure may. Ground beef, ground turkey, or even chicken will all work just fine.

What’s the best marinara sauce?

You can truly use any marina or pasta sauce, the flavor is going to be coming from the meat.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (4)

Make-Ahead:

You can cook the pasta and keep stored in an air-tight container. Cook the sauce with meat and keep it stored. When ready to serve, combine and cook over low heat until reheated.

Storing-

  • Fridge: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze: To freeze, place in a freezer container and freeze up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over low heat, and add a dash of oil, water, or some more marinara if the pasta is dry.

More Pasta Recipes to Try:

  • Cajun Pasta with Chicken
  • Cheese Ravioli Recipe
  • Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
  • Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
  • Baked Ziti Recipe
  • Easy Lasagna Recipe

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe

Author: Valentina

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (5)

Print

5 from 8 votes

Homemade recipe for the best Spaghetti and Meat Sauce! Ground meat in marinara toss with spaghetti ready in 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to instructions with 1/2 tsp salt. Once cooked, drain water add to a place and cover to keep warm.

  • In the same Dutch oven, add the diced onion and ground pork. Cook until meat is browned and onion is tender (about 5 minutes), breaking up meat as it’s cooked.

    Season with remaining salt and pepper, add garlic and mix well.

  • Add marinara, turn heat to andium/low cook five minutes.

  • Add the pasta and stir, cook until pasta is reheated.

  • Serve immediately!

Nutrition

634kcal Calories65g Carbs31g Protein28g Fat9g Saturated Fat3g Polyunsaturated Fat12g Monounsaturated Fat82mg Cholesterol1748mg Sodium1040mg Potassium5g Fiber9g Sugar746IU Vitamin A15mg Vitamin C66mg Calcium4mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 634Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 12g

Cholesterol 82mg27%

Sodium 1748mg76%

Potassium 1040mg30%

Carbohydrates 65g22%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 31g62%

Vitamin A 746IU15%

Vitamin C 15mg18%

Calcium 66mg7%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (6)

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @valentinascorner on Instagram and use hashtag #valentinascorner

Leave a comment

16 comments

  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (7)

    • Sherry

    Came out gr8
    Thx❤️🥰

    • Reply
    • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (8)

      • Valentina’s Corner

      Sherry, I’m so glad you enjoyed the the spaghetti with meat sauce.

      • Reply
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (9)

    • Misty

    This recipe is a wonderful use of time and you can taste the garlic

    • Reply
    • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (10)

      • Valentina’s Corner

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the spaghetti with meat sauce.

      • Reply
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (11)

    • Joseph

    Hello Valentina , this is a really good recipe , from a really great Mom , you put Love and Heart into your food . I hope those children do the same when it is their time , I like to add Italian sausage out of the casing ,and some red pepper flakes. I always look forward to your posts , we had a snow storm here in texas and its gonna be a late spring looking forward to a great garden and ” Good Eating ” ” PeaceBeWithYou “

    • Reply
    • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (12)

      • Valentina’s Corner

      Joseph, you are so kind. The meaty spaghetti is so easy and always on our menu.

      • Reply
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (13)

    • Toria

    This is such a great recipe! This spaghetti is my favorite family dinner!!! Thank you for sharing.

    • Reply
    • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (14)

      • Valentina’s Corner

      Thanks, Toria for the awesome feedback on our spaghetti recipe. I’m so glad to see that such an easy recipe is a hit with your family. 🙂

      • Reply
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (15)

    • Johanna

    Made this spaghetti. It was so easy and I can’t believe how good it tasted. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    • Reply
    • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (16)

      • Valentina’s Corner

      That wonderful, Johanna. Glad this quick spaghetti was a hit with your family. 🙂 Stop back and visit our online home again.

      • Reply
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (17)

    • Karen

    Amazing! Delisious! Easy! Made it today. Will be saving this recipe!

    • Reply
    • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (18)

      • admin

      Karen, that’s so awesome. Love that it will be saved, puts a smile on my face??.. Easy recipe means more time for loved ones (or to just relax, or read, or go get a massage, or do nothing, oh boy, too far, I’ll stop here…?)

      • Reply
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (19)

    • Galina

    I made this and my family loved it. Hubby said to make more next time. Thank you for the recipe!

    • Reply
    • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (20)

      • admin

      Galina. That’s wonderful to hear, thank u soo much for sharing. ? I love quick recipes like these that families approve, makes my life so much easier..☺

      • Reply
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (21)

    • Mary

    My husband and I really enjoyed this pasta! Ive been wanting to make a delicious pasta with meat sauce but there was always something missing every time I made it. This recipe was really easy and tasty! My new go to, especially if I just came home at 9 pm after working a 12 hour nursing shift and want something fast and yummy. Thank you 🙂

    • Reply
    • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (22)

      • admin

      Mary, THANK YOU so much for the great feedback and I totally agree. A great go to when in a hurry but still want something fresh and yummy.:)
      Oh a side note, thank you for the work you put in to serving others. May God reward you for it. I know many times it may seem like those 12 hr shifts aren’t appreciated, I just wanted to tell you, YOU ARE!! 🙂 :)..

      • Reply
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good spaghetti? ›

IF YOU COOK spaghetti in a big pot of water, drain it, then toss it with sauce, you are pouring a lot of flavor down the drain, says Vendemmia chef Brian Clevenger. “The trick to good pasta is cooking it in the sauce,” he says. It was while working at Delfina in San Francisco that he really started to understand why.

Do you cook the meat before putting it in spaghetti sauce? ›

You can put raw anything into spaghetti sauce, simmer it long enough and it will cook and be safe to eat. You'll lose out on a bit of flavor though. I'd brown the pork in a pot and season it before simmering it in the sauce. Browning the meat develops color and flavor in the finished sauce, so don't forget that step.

What brings out spaghetti flavor? ›

Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options. Dried herbs and spices should be added at the beginning of the cook time so that they have time to bloom.

What makes spaghetti sauce taste better? ›

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

How to make spaghetti at home better? ›

How to make good spaghetti at home - Quora. I use noodles that absorb the water and add flavor including lots of spices (oregano, basil, cayenne, chili powder, jalepno seeds and others) a little bit of salt and a small amount of honey to the water. I also add extra basil and fresh garlic to Prego sauce.

Do you break spaghetti before putting it in water? ›

How to Cook Pasta
  1. Step 1: Use a Large, Lightweight Pot. Use a large pot that holds at least seven quarts. ...
  2. Step 3: Stir the Pasta Occasionally. Stir the pasta right after you add it to the water and then occasionally throughout the cooking time to prevent clumping. ...
  3. Don't Break the Pasta.
Apr 3, 2023

How to season meat for spaghetti? ›

Use salt and pepper to season ground beef, turkey, or pork. Add garlic, onions, bell peppers, oregano, basil, parsley, or Italian seasoning for extra flavor. Stir red pepper flakes, chili powder, or hot sauce into the meat for a spicy kick.

Can I just cook spaghetti in the sauce? ›

Cooking pasta in the sauce instead of in boiling water will increase the amount of time it takes to cook through. It's a good technique to use if you want to delay serving your pasta for a few minutes. Make sure to keep the sauce thinned out with pasta water as the pasta finishes cooking if you use this method.

Is it better to simmer spaghetti sauce with lid on or off? ›

Lid on, but off center to allow steam to escape. Having the lid on raises the temperature assuring the sauce stays hot enough to boil off some of the water. If you leave the lid off, you have to use a higher flame, which can burn the sauce.

What can you add to a jar of spaghetti sauce to make it taste better? ›

Fresh herbs make all the difference in any pasta sauce, so if you have some lying around, they will really perk up a jarred sauce. Obviously, basil is classic, but thyme, rosemary, sage, marjoram, and oregano are all great in pasta sauce. Fresh parsley also makes anything sing, as do chives.

What is the most important ingredient in spaghetti? ›

Tomatoes is the most popular ingredient in spaghetti sauce dishes. In fact, over 90% of spaghetti sauce recipes contain tomatoes. Variations of tomatoes include: tomato sauce: 15% of recipes.

What is the secret to good sauce? ›

Texture-wise, fat adds a rich, mouth-coating feel to a sauce, both when it's broken out of the sauce on its own, and when it is emulsified with the sauce's liquid phase, making the whole thing creamier. Add a bit of butter in there as well.

What not to do when making spaghetti? ›

Cooking pasta: 5 mistakes
  1. Toss the pasta when the water is cold. This is probably the most common and also the most serious mistake you can make in cooking pasta. ...
  2. Using the wrong measure of salt. ...
  3. Cooking pasta in a small pot. ...
  4. Overcooking the pasta. ...
  5. Drain the pasta too much.
Sep 14, 2023

How to make spaghetti like a pro? ›

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Stir in the salt until dissolved. Add the pasta to the water, stir a few times to prevent the noodles from sticking together. Cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente or softer depending on desired texture.

What is the secret ingredient in tomato sauce? ›

Nutmeg. Nutmeg is the key to boosting earthiness and adding a touch of nuttiness to your spaghetti sauce. Nutmeg also has a slightly sweet flavor, which we know goes great with acidic canned tomatoes. Overall, it accentuates the other ingredients in the sauce and adds complexity.

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