Pasta Main Dishes

A classic comfort food recipe that never goes out of style! This tried-and-true pasta dish is a staple for a reason – tender noodles, rich meat sauce, and a blend of herbs come together in perfect harmony.

A satisfying, filling meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Ready Time

45 mins

Yields

6 servings

Ingredients

12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice (e.g., spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound (450g) ground beef
1 can (28 oz/794g) crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup (115g) grated mozzarella cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the reserved pasta water to the sauce if it becomes too thick. Stir in the grated mozzarella cheese until melted and well combined.

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.

Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Use any type of pasta you like, just adjust the cooking time according to the package. Reserve that pasta water, you never know when you need it to thin out the sauce.

Make sure to break up that ground beef into tiny pieces so it distributes evenly throughout the sauce.

Take your time with the sauce, let it simmer for at least 10 minutes to develop the flavors. Don’t be shy with the mozzarella, it’s the star of the show.

Add some chopped parsley on top if you’re feeling fancy, it adds a nice freshness.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner, serves 6 so invite some friends over!