Italian Spaghetti And Meat Sauce
A hearty Italian spaghetti sauce loaded with ground meat, vegetables, and bold spices, perfect for family dinners and those craving classic comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground meat ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1/4 green pepper ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery ⓘ
- 1/4 cup mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 small can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook ground meat, chopped onion, green pepper, and celery until the meat is browned.
- Add remaining ingredients: tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, salt, pepper, paprika, bay leaves, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and sauce thickens.
- Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using a mix of ground beef and ground pork. You can substitute the green pepper with a red one for a sweeter taste. If you want to reduce sodium, use low-sodium tomato sauce and adjust the salt to your preference. Adding Italian herbs like oregano or basil can enhance the sauce further, making it perfect for pairing with Marinara Sauce For Pasta.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty meat sauce over your choice of spaghetti or try it with Pasta Fusigle for a fun twist. Accompany the dish with a side of garlic bread or Millie'S Salad for a complete meal. Grated Parmesan cheese on top adds a nice finishing touch, enhancing the Italian flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the sauce on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave it in a covered dish, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Italian Spaghetti And Meat Sauce contains roughly 745 calories, with 19g protein, 139g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (162% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (127% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (125% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2621mg per serving (114% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, this meat sauce can be made in advance. In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just prepare it and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it before serving over freshly cooked spaghetti for a quick weeknight dinner.
What can I add to the sauce for more flavor?
You can add a splash of red wine for depth or sautéed mushrooms for an earthy flavor. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can also brighten the dish. For a bit of heat, consider increasing the cayenne pepper or adding crushed red pepper flakes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).