Description
This classic School Cafeteria Spaghetti & Meat Sauce offers a hearty, comforting meal featuring a flavorful meat sauce simmered with herbs and tomatoes, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s a nostalgic, family-friendly dish that comes together in just 40 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 2¾ lb lean ground beef
- 2 Tbsp dried minced onions
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 (28-oz) can whole tomatoes, undrained
- 1½ (6-oz) cans tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- 4 tsp dried basil
- 4 tsp dried oregano
- 2½ tsp dried marjoram
- 1½ tsp dried thyme
Spaghetti
- 1 lb spaghetti, cooked
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the lean ground beef. Cook the beef until it is evenly browned, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Once browned, carefully drain the excess fat from the skillet to keep the sauce from becoming too greasy.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: To the skillet with the browned beef, add the dried minced onions, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Next, add the whole canned tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, and water. Use a spoon to break up the whole tomatoes, ensuring a consistent sauce texture.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the dried basil, oregano, marjoram, and thyme to infuse the sauce with rich, aromatic flavors. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Toss with Spaghetti: When the sauce has finished simmering, add the cooked spaghetti directly to the skillet. Toss the pasta thoroughly in the meat sauce until well coated and heated through. Serve immediately for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and calories.
- Simmering the sauce longer (up to 45 minutes) deepens the flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Make sure to cook the spaghetti al dente according to package instructions before tossing with the sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for longer storage.
- For additional flavor, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil if desired.
