Cooking beef spaghetti sauce can be a delightful process that yields a rich and flavorful sauce to accompany your pasta. Here's a step-by-step guide on the best way to cook beef spaghetti sauce:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes (optional, for chunkier sauce)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Cooked spaghetti or pasta of your choice
Instructions:
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent and softened, usually around 2-3 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
Add the ground beef to the pan and break it up with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook the beef until it's browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Drain any excess fat from the pan if necessary.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes (if using) to the pan. Stir everything together to combine.
Season the sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will develop.
While the sauce is simmering, prepare your spaghetti or pasta according to the package instructions. Cook until al dente.
Once the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded, taste it again and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serve the beef spaghetti sauce over the cooked pasta, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Enjoy your delicious homemade beef spaghetti sauce! You can also store any leftovers in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze portions for later use.