Spaghetti is one of those dishes that I can make and eat every single week. It's so delicious. For this recipe, I do add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to make it a little spicy. That's just my personal preference sometimes.

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Enjoy this one!

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed or chopped tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

For the Spaghetti:

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• Salt (for pasta water)

Directions

• Cook the Meat: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
• Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let it cook on low heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve a little pasta water if needed.
• Combine: Once the sauce is ready, toss the cooked spaghetti in the sauce, adding a bit of reserved pasta water if you want a saucier consistency.
• Serve: Plate the spaghetti and meat sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

What do you think?

Eat this with toasty garlic bread and a fresh, green salad on the side!