School Cafeteria Spaghetti & Meat Sauce
A nostalgic dish bringing back memories of school cafeterias with a rich and satisfying homemade spaghetti and meat sauce.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Spaghetti or any pasta of your choice
- 1 lb Ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 14 oz cans Canned tomatoes, diced or crushed
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper
- to taste Olive oil for frying
- to taste Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large pot, bring salted water to boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, typically around 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned.
Cooking the Sauce
- Once the meat is cooked, stir in the canned tomatoes and tomato paste.
- Add the Italian seasoning along with salt and pepper to taste.
- Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
Combining and Serving
- Toss in the cooked spaghetti, coating it well with the sauce. You can add a splash of pasta water if you need a little extra moisture.
- Dish up the spaghetti on plates and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Let the sauce simmer longer for enhanced flavor, and consider adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano towards the end of the cooking process. For added nutrition, finely chop vegetables like carrots or bell peppers into the meat mixture.