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homemade Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce: Family Favorite photo

Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce: Family Favorite

A hearty, classic spaghetti meat sauce that's easy to make and perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring cup
  • large pot (for pasta)
  • Colander

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 24 ounces tomato sauce
  • 14.5 ounces canned stewed tomatoes
  • 14.5 ounces water
  • 4 chicken or beef bouillon cubes
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Accent seasoning (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 pinch salt (optional)
  • 1 pinch sugar (optional)
  • 1 1/2 pounds spaghetti noodles to serve

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and diced green bell pepper and sauté until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
  • Add the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes (with their juices), water, and the bouillon cubes to the pot. Stir to combine.
  • Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, chili powder, parsley flakes, garlic powder, and black pepper. If using Accent seasoning, add it now.
  • Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir the grated Parmesan into the sauce. Taste and add a pinch of salt and/or sugar if needed to balance acidity.
  • While the sauce simmers or after it finishes, bring a large pot with about 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and stir until the water returns to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and cook the spaghetti 8–9 minutes or until desired tenderness. Drain the pasta in a colander.
  • Serve the hot meat sauce over the drained spaghetti.

Notes

  • Taste the sauce before adding salt because bouillon is salty.
  • If the tomatoes taste too acidic, add a small pinch of sugar.
  • A tiny pinch of baking soda can also reduce acidity if needed.