Nuked Spaghetti Sauce

Servings: 10 Difficulty: Intermediate
A quick, hearty microwave spaghetti sauce rich with herbs and ground beef
Nuked Spaghetti Sauce recipe image

Nuked Spaghetti Sauce

Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 10 Calories: 627.0

Description

This Nuked Spaghetti Sauce is a convenient, flavorful solution for busy weeknights. Made entirely in the microwave, it combines savory ground chuck with aromatic onions, garlic, and a blend of classic Italian herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil. The sauce develops a deep, rich flavor as the tomato paste and cooked tomatoes simmer together with the meat. It offers a satisfying texture that clings beautifully to pasta. Perfect for serving over spaghetti, linguine, or zoodles, this dish brings home-style comfort to your table without the fuss of stovetop cooking. It is an excellent choice for family dinners when time is short but flavor is non-negotiable.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Place the ground chuck, chopped onion, and minced garlic into a large microwave-safe casserole dish or bowl.
  2. Microwave on high power for 4 minutes, stopping halfway through to stir and break up the meat.
  3. Carefully drain off any excess fat from the meat mixture.
  4. Transfer the cooked meat mixture to a larger microwave-safe casserole dish if necessary, or keep in the same bowl if it has enough capacity.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste, cooked tomatoes, oregano, thyme, basil, garlic salt, and pepper until well combined.
  6. Microwave on 50% power (half power) for 18 to 21 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent splattering.
  7. Cover the dish and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 10


Amount Per Serving
Calories 627.0kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 23.9g37%
Saturated Fat 6.5g33%
Cholesterol 136.2mg46%
Sodium 2045.4mg86%
Total Carbohydrate 64.1g22%
Dietary Fiber 14.1g57%
Sugars 32.0g
Protein 49.8g100%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

This recipe yields enough sauce to adequately cover 1 pound of spaghetti or linguine.

For best results, use a microwave-safe colander insert or drain the meat carefully by tilting the bowl and spooning off fat.

Variations: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or stir in a tablespoon of brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Storage: Cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Keywords: spaghetti, sauce, ground beef, microwave, quick dinner, italian, tomato sauce, easy meal, family dinner, ground chuck, herbs, oregano, garlic, onion, comfort food, weeknight meal, pasta sauce, homemade, simple, hearty
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