How to Make Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Who doesn't like spaghetti? This spaghetti sauce recipe comes from my Hungarian grandma who had some Italian friends growing up and altered what she learned from them to make this delicious sauce. I like to make a large pot and freeze containers of this. Spaghetti with meat sauce is a quick and easy meal. It is great to use in lasagna too!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 lbs ground beef (85% lean or better)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
• 1 small carrot chopped finely
• 1 stalk celery chopped finely
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• tomato paste (small can)
• crushed tomatoes (28 oz can)
• tomato sauce (28 oz can)
• pasta

1. 
    
   sauce pot

   Brown the ground beef. This recipe can be made in a non-stick dutch oven or in a crock pot. When beef is almost browned, add chopped onion. Onion can be minced if you prefer less chunkiness. When meat is completely browned, pour off all fat.

2. 
    
   vegetables

   I use a mini food processor to mince the garlic,parlsley,celery and carrots. Use the parsley leaves and the stalks. Add the garlic, parsley, celery, carrots, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix the sauce well. Adding carrots to your spaghetti sauce makes it sweeter. Celery gives it flavor plus adds fiber to your sauce.
   Option for your spaghetti sauce is to add a chopped green pepper. This is a delicious addition.

3. 
    
   cook your spaghetti sauce in your crock pot!

   Add tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir well and add bay leaf. If cooking in crock pot allow to simmer for about 2 hours. Spaghetti sauce can cook longer if set on low. If cooking on stove, allow to simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally. Cook your spaghetti, I like regular or spaghetti with ridges to hold onto your spaghetti sauce.

Tips & Warnings

• If you like a chunkier tomato sauce, use diced tomatoes instead of crushed.
• Serve over any kind of spaghetti.
• Serve with grated parmesan cheese.
• This sauce tastes better "aged". Freeze it and it is delicious defrosted and heated. Cook it today, it will taste good but tomorrow it will be better!

[donnatmann]

on 7/27/2009 I do a recipe very similar to this and I just love it. Beats buying the jarred stuff and saves me loads of cash! Thanks and I also do mine in the crock pot. I add a bit more garlic tho.. Grin!

[Walkaboutangel]

on 3/7/2009 pasta and gravy is a staple in our home... Angel

[mommyhen42]

on 2/18/2009 I love a thick meaty tomato sauce, this one sounds wonderful, I added it to my favorites

[FrazzledNanny]

on 2/18/2009 My husband loves spaghetti. Thanks for the recipe. 5*

[ampersand]

on 2/14/2009 This sounds easy and delicious!