Spaghetti With Meat Sauce
Description
This comforting spaghetti dish features rich Italian pork sausage simmered with onions, garlic, and canned tomatoes for a robust, home-style meal. The sauce is thickened with tomato paste and brightened with fresh herbs like basil and oregano, creating a balanced flavor profile that is both savory and slightly sweet. The addition of sliced mushrooms adds an earthy depth and pleasant texture to the sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a casual family gathering, this recipe delivers hearty protein and classic Italian-American flavors. It is simple to prepare with pantry staples, making it an easy yet impressive option for any occasion. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of richness.Ingredients
Directions
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the uncooked spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
-
In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the Italian pork sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove excess fat if desired.
-
Add the chopped onions and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
-
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
-
Add the drained and cut up tomatoes, tomato paste, sliced mushrooms, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and bay leaf to the skillet.
-
Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
-
Toss the drained spaghetti with the meat sauce in the skillet or a large bowl, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if needed to reach desired consistency.
-
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 1440.2kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 82.8g128%
- Saturated Fat 13.7g69%
- Cholesterol 59.0mg20%
- Sodium 929.3mg39%
- Total Carbohydrate 133.2g45%
- Dietary Fiber 16.5g66%
- Sugars 10.1g
- Protein 46.0g92%
* 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
Storage: Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed.
Substitutions: You can use ground beef or turkey instead of Italian sausage. Fresh basil and oregano can be used instead of dried; use 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs for every 1 teaspoon of dried.
Tip: For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of olive oil when sauting the onions. If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
spaghetti, meat sauce, sausage, tomato, pasta, italian, dinner, easy, family, comfort food, homemade, sausage recipe, tomato sauce, weeknight meal, mushrooms, basil, oregano
