There’s something special about a simple plate of old-school spaghetti with ground beef. No sausage, no complicated ingredients, and no fancy techniques—just seasoned ground beef, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, and spaghetti simmered together into a comforting family dinner.
This is the kind of classic recipe that tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
- 1 pound (450 g) spaghetti
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup water or beef broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook for about 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
2. Add the Onion and Garlic
Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
3. Build the Sauce
Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water or beef broth, Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
If your tomatoes are particularly acidic, add the teaspoon of sugar.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
4. Let It Cook Low and Slow
Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 25–35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The longer the sauce gently simmers, the more developed and comforting the flavor becomes.
5. Cook the Spaghetti
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well.
6. Bring It All Together
Add the cooked spaghetti to the meat sauce and toss until thoroughly coated.
Alternatively, spoon the rich meat sauce generously over individual portions of spaghetti.
Finish with plenty of grated Parmesan and a little chopped parsley.
Old-School Tips
- Use ground beef only: There’s no need for sausage when you want that classic beefy flavor.
- Don’t rush the sauce. A gentle simmer gives it a richer taste.
- Save a little pasta water before draining. A splash can loosen the sauce and help it cling to the spaghetti.
- Freshly grated Parmesan makes a noticeable difference.
- For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Leftovers are often even better the following day.
What to Serve With It
Serve this spaghetti with warm garlic bread, buttery dinner rolls, a simple green salad, or steamed vegetables.
Final Thoughts
Old-School Spaghetti with Ground Beef proves that you don’t need a long ingredient list to make a satisfying dinner. With tender spaghetti, hearty seasoned beef, and a rich tomato sauce simmered until flavorful, this is simple comfort food that belongs in every family’s recipe collection.