🍅 Classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (Stovetop Version)

Rich, savory, and simmered to perfection — no baking required!

🍽️ Recipe Card

Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

✅ Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground chuck (80/20 beef)

• 1 large onion (or 2 medium), diced

• 1 green bell pepper, diced

• 5 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 2 tbsp minced parsley

• 1 tsp dried sweet basil

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

(Optional: 1 tsp sugar to balance acidity)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Sauté the Vegetables
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add diced onions and bell pepper. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Add minced garlic and cook another 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.

2️⃣ Brown the Meat
Add the ground chuck to the skillet. Cook until browned and crumbly.
Drain excess grease, then return the meat to the pan.

3️⃣ Season & Combine
Add garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well so the seasonings evenly coat the meat mixture.

4️⃣ Add Tomatoes & Sauce
Pour in diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir thoroughly.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
The sauce will thicken and develop deep flavor as it cooks.

5️⃣ Cook the Pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil (to prevent sticking).
Boil spaghetti for 7–8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain well.

6️⃣ Serve
Toss the pasta with the sauce or spoon the sauce generously on top.
Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or grated Parmesan.

💡 Tips & Variations

• 🍷 For richer flavor: Add ¼ cup red wine before simmering.

• 🌶️ For heat: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes.

• 🍄 Add-ins: Sauté mushrooms or Italian sausage with the beef.

• 🧄 Make ahead: The sauce tastes even better the next day — refrigerate overnight.

🧊 Storage

• Fridge: Store in airtight containers up to 4 days.

• Freezer: Sauce freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

• Deep, slow-simmered Italian flavor

• Comforting and hearty

• Feeds a crowd easily

• No baking — all stovetop!