This hearty spaghetti sauce with ground beef is a classic comfort food that brings warmth and flavor to your table. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in, this recipe combines rich tomato flavors with savory herbs and spices, creating a delicious sauce that pairs perfectly with spaghetti.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up a few items if you don't have them on hand. Tomato paste and diced tomatoes are essential for the sauce's texture and flavor. Additionally, dried oregano and basil add a depth of flavor that fresh herbs can't quite replicate.
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Ingredients for Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
Ground beef: Provides a rich, meaty base for the sauce.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.
Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its aromatic qualities.
Tomato sauce: Forms the bulk of the sauce, offering a smooth texture.
Diced tomatoes: Adds chunks of tomato for texture and flavor.
Tomato paste: Thickens the sauce and intensifies the tomato flavor.
Oregano: A dried herb that adds a slightly bitter, aromatic flavor.
Basil: A dried herb that provides a sweet, aromatic flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the sauce.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and complexity.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the onions and garlic, adding a rich flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula. This ensures even cooking and allows the meat to develop a nice, caramelized crust. Additionally, letting the onion cook until it's fully translucent will bring out its natural sweetness, adding depth to your spaghetti sauce.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.
ground beef - Substitute with lentils: Lentils are a great plant-based protein that can mimic the texture of ground beef when cooked.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can add a subtle sweetness to the sauce.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a more delicate and slightly sweet flavor compared to onions.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though it has a more concentrated flavor.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can add a mild garlic-like flavor with a hint of sweetness.
tomato sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes provide a similar consistency and rich tomato flavor.
tomato sauce - Substitute with passata: Passata is a smooth tomato puree that can replace tomato sauce with a similar texture.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with fresh tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes can be diced and used in place of canned diced tomatoes for a fresher taste.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with fire-roasted tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes add a smoky depth of flavor to the sauce.
tomato paste - Substitute with sun-dried tomato paste: Sun-dried tomato paste has a more intense flavor and can add a rich, concentrated tomato taste.
tomato paste - Substitute with ketchup: Ketchup can be used in a pinch, though it will add a bit of sweetness to the sauce.
dried oregano - Substitute with fresh oregano: Fresh oregano can be used, though you may need to use more to match the intensity of dried oregano.
dried oregano - Substitute with Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning contains oregano and other herbs that can enhance the flavor.
dried basil - Substitute with fresh basil: Fresh basil can be used, but you may need to use more to achieve the same flavor intensity.
dried basil - Substitute with thyme: Thyme has a slightly different flavor but can complement the other herbs in the sauce.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement with a slightly different mineral content.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to achieve a similar spiciness.
black pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat and can be used for a spicier kick.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil is a neutral oil that can be used for cooking without altering the flavor significantly.
olive oil - Substitute with butter: Butter can add a rich, creamy texture and flavor to the sauce.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the spaghetti sauce to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery sauce.
Transfer the sauce to airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to leave some space at the top of the container or bag, as the sauce will expand when frozen.
Label the containers or bags with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long the sauce has been stored.
For short-term storage, place the containers in the refrigerator. The spaghetti sauce will keep for up to 4 days.
For long-term storage, place the containers in the freezer. The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its flavor and texture.
When ready to use, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the quality of the sauce.
Reheat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of water or broth to reach the desired consistency.
If you prefer, you can also reheat the sauce in the microwave. Place the sauce in a microwave-safe container, cover it loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley just before serving. This will give the sauce a fresh, vibrant taste.
Serve the reheated spaghetti sauce over freshly cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, and enjoy a delicious, homemade meal anytime.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Pour the spaghetti sauce with ground beef into a saucepan.
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick.
- Once the sauce is heated through, serve over freshly cooked spaghetti.
Microwave Method:
- Place the leftover sauce in a microwave-safe container.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
- Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, then stir.
- Continue heating in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the sauce is hot.
- Serve over reheated spaghetti.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Transfer the spaghetti sauce with ground beef to an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is heated through.
- Serve over spaghetti.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Pour the leftover sauce into a slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker to low heat.
- Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve over freshly cooked spaghetti.
Double Boiler Method:
- Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler with water and bring to a simmer.
- Place the spaghetti sauce with ground beef in the top pot.
- Stir occasionally until the sauce is heated through.
- Serve over spaghetti.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used for cooking the sauce and ensuring even heat distribution.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the sauce and breaking up the ground beef.
Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the onion and garlic.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper accurately.
Can opener: Necessary for opening the cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
Colander: Useful for draining any excess fat from the browned ground beef.
Spatula: Helps in scraping down the sides of the pot to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
Garlic press: Makes mincing garlic quick and easy, though a knife can also be used.
Stovetop: The heat source for cooking the sauce.
Serving spoon: Used for serving the sauce over cooked spaghetti.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the onion and garlic in advance and store them in the fridge.
Use pre-made sauce: Substitute homemade tomato sauce with a high-quality store-bought version.
Cook in bulk: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Simmer while multitasking: Let the sauce simmer while you prepare other parts of your meal.
Use a food processor: Quickly chop the onion and garlic using a food processor.
Pre-cook ground beef: Cook and freeze ground beef in portions for easy use in future recipes.
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Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 can Tomato Sauce (15 oz)
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- 2. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- 3. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- 4. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- 5. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.
- 6. Add oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- 7. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 8. Serve over cooked spaghetti and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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