Easy Tomato Meat Sauce Spaghetti

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this rich, flavorful tomato meat sauce spaghetti. It is incredibly simple to make, budget-friendly, and tastes even better than restaurant-style pasta.

Ingredients

• 200 g spaghetti
• 150 g ground beef
• 1/2 red onion
• 2 tomatoes
• 2 slices cheese
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Boil the spaghetti

   

   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add a splash of olive oil to the water, then add the spaghetti and boil for ten minutes.

   Tip: Adding olive oil to the boiling water helps prevent the pasta from sticking together.
2. 2Brown the ground beef

   

   Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and stir-fry until it is browned, then remove it from the pan.

   Tip: Ensure the pan is hot before adding the beef to get a good sear and maximize the flavor.
3. 3Sauté the red onion

   

   In the same pan used for the beef, sauté the chopped red onion until it becomes fragrant.

   Tip: Sautéing the onion in the rendered beef fat adds extra depth to the sauce.
4. 4Cook the tomatoes

   

   Add the diced tomatoes to the pan with the sautéed onions. Cook until the tomatoes soften and release their juices to form a base.

   Tip: If the tomatoes are firm, you can add a small splash of water to help them break down.
5. 5Recombine the beef

   

   Once the tomato base is ready, return the browned ground beef to the pan and mix it with the tomatoes.

   Tip: Stir well to ensure the beef is evenly coated in the tomato juices.
6. 6Season the sauce

   

   Add tomato ketchup, salt, and black pepper to the meat sauce. Mix thoroughly to incorporate the flavors and thicken the sauce.

   Tip: Ketchup adds a nice sweetness and acidity that balances the savory beef.
7. 7Combine pasta and sauce

   

   Drain the cooked spaghetti, toss it into the pan with the tomato and beef base, and mix thoroughly to ensure every strand is evenly coated and the flavors are well incorporated.

   Tip: If the sauce is too thick, add a small spoonful of pasta water to help it emulsify and coat the noodles better.
8. 8Melt the cheese

   

   Place a few slices of cheese over the top of the spaghetti in the pan. Cover with a lid and let it melt for one minute to add a rich, creamy flavor to the final dish.

   Tip: Covering the pan is crucial for trapping the steam and ensuring the cheese melts perfectly over the hot pasta.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions