Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef Recipe

Ground beef: Provides the hearty, meaty base for the sauce.

Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor when cooked.

Garlic: Infuses the sauce with a rich, aromatic quality.

Tomato sauce: Forms the main body of the sauce, giving it a smooth texture.

Diced tomatoes: Adds chunks of tomato for texture and flavor.

Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.

Dried oregano: Brings a slightly bitter, earthy flavor that complements the tomatoes.

Dried basil: Adds a sweet, aromatic note to the sauce.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the sauce.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and complexity to the flavor profile.

When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small, even pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula. This ensures that the meat cooks evenly and develops a nice, caramelized flavor. Additionally, when adding the onion and garlic, cook them just until the onion becomes translucent to avoid burning the garlic, which can impart a bitter taste to the sauce.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• ground beef - Substitute with lentils: Lentils offer a plant-based alternative that is high in protein and fiber, making the dish vegetarian-friendly.

• chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can add a different depth to the sauce.

• chopped onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a subtle onion flavor and a bit of sweetness, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch and provides a similar garlicky flavor, though it may lack the fresh intensity.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can add a mild garlic-like flavor along with a hint of sweetness.

• tomato sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes offer a chunkier texture and a fresher tomato flavor, which can enhance the sauce.

• tomato sauce - Substitute with passata: Passata is a smooth, sieved tomato puree that provides a rich and thick consistency similar to tomato sauce.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with fresh tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes can be diced and used to provide a fresher and more vibrant flavor.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with fire-roasted tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes add a smoky depth of flavor that can enhance the overall taste of the sauce.

• tomato paste - Substitute with sun-dried tomato paste: Sun-dried tomato paste offers a concentrated tomato flavor with a hint of sweetness and tanginess.

• tomato paste - Substitute with ketchup: Ketchup can be used in a pinch and provides a similar thickening effect, though it may add a bit of sweetness.

• dried oregano - Substitute with Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning contains oregano along with other herbs, providing a well-rounded flavor.

• dried oregano - Substitute with fresh oregano: Fresh oregano offers a more vibrant and aromatic flavor compared to dried.

• dried basil - Substitute with fresh basil: Fresh basil provides a more intense and aromatic flavor that can elevate the dish.

• dried basil - Substitute with thyme: Thyme offers a slightly different herbal note that can complement the other flavors in the sauce.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a savory umami flavor along with the saltiness.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a more nuanced and less processed flavor compared to table salt.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a milder heat and a slightly different flavor profile.

• black pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes can add a bit of heat and a different kind of spiciness to the sauce.

• Allow the spaghetti sauce to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery sauce.

• Transfer the cooled sauce into airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. For easy portioning, consider using smaller containers or dividing the sauce into meal-sized portions.

• Label the containers or bags with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long the sauce has been stored.

• If using freezer bags, lay them flat in the freezer. This not only saves space but also allows the sauce to freeze more quickly and evenly.

• For best quality, use the refrigerated sauce within 3-4 days. If freezing, the sauce will maintain its best quality for up to 3 months, though it will remain safe to eat beyond that time.

• When ready to use, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, you can also thaw it in the microwave using the defrost setting.

• Reheat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. If the sauce appears too thick after reheating, you can add a splash of water or broth to achieve the desired consistency.

• Serve the reheated sauce over freshly cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, and enjoy a delicious meal that tastes just as good as when it was first made.

• Stovetop Method

  1. Pour the spaghetti sauce into a saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Once the sauce is heated through, serve it over freshly cooked spaghetti.

• Microwave Method

  1. Transfer the spaghetti sauce to a microwave-safe container.
  2. Cover the container with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Continue heating in 1-minute increments until the sauce is hot.

• Oven Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the spaghetti sauce in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
  3. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sauce is thoroughly heated.

• Slow Cooker Method

  1. Transfer the spaghetti sauce to a slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to low heat.
  3. Allow the sauce to heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

• Double Boiler Method

  1. Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler with water and bring it to a simmer.
  2. Place the spaghetti sauce in the top pot.
  3. Stir occasionally until the sauce is heated through.

• Sous Vide Method

  1. Place the spaghetti sauce in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
  2. Set your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 30 minutes.

• Large pot: A large pot is essential for cooking the ground beef and simmering the sauce. It provides ample space for all the ingredients to mix well and cook evenly.

• Wooden spoon: A wooden spoon is ideal for stirring the ingredients as they cook. It is sturdy and won't scratch the surface of your pot.

• Knife: A knife is necessary for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic. A sharp knife will make this task easier and more efficient.

• Cutting board: A cutting board provides a safe and clean surface for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.

• Can opener: A can opener is needed to open the cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.

• Measuring spoons: Measuring spoons are used to measure out the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper accurately.

• Colander: A colander is useful for draining any excess fat from the cooked ground beef.

• Spatula: A spatula can be used to help break up the ground beef as it cooks, ensuring it browns evenly.

• Stove: A stove is necessary for providing the heat to cook the ground beef and simmer the sauce.

• Serving spoon: A serving spoon is useful for ladling the sauce over the cooked spaghetti.

Pre-cook the ground beef: Cook the ground beef in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can just add it to the sauce when needed.

Use pre-chopped onions and garlic: Save time by using pre-chopped onions and garlic from the store or chop them in bulk and freeze.

Opt for canned ingredients: Use canned tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to cut down on prep time.

Simmer in a slow cooker: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and let it cook on low for several hours. This frees up your time for other tasks.