Easy Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
Who doesn’t love a comforting plate of spaghetti with rich tomato sauce? It’s a classic dish that never fails to satisfy our cravings. But have you ever wondered how to make this delicious meal at home without spending hours in the kitchen? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll show you an easy and foolproof recipe for spaghetti with tomato sauce that you can whip up in no time.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before we get started, let’s make sure we have all the necessary ingredients. You’ll need spaghetti noodles, a can of crushed tomatoes, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs like oregano and basil. If you want to add some extra flavor, you can also include onions, mushrooms, or ground beef. Remember, the beauty of this recipe is its simplicity, so feel free to get creative with your ingredients!
Cooking the Perfect Spaghetti
Now that we have everything we need, it’s time to cook the perfect spaghetti. Start by boiling a pot of water and adding a generous pinch of salt. Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti noodles and cook them until they’re al dente, which means they should be firm to the bite. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes, but be sure to check the package instructions for the exact cooking time.
While the spaghetti is cooking, it’s time to prepare the tomato sauce. In a separate pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat and add minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until it becomes fragrant and golden brown. Then, add the crushed tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, and your favorite dried herbs. Let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Adding Your Personal Touch
Now comes the fun part – adding your personal touch to the dish. If you like your sauce to have some texture, you can chop up some onions and mushrooms and sauté them with the garlic. For meat lovers, browning some ground beef and mixing it into the sauce will give it an extra savory flavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this dish your own!
Once the spaghetti noodles are cooked to perfection, drain them and add them to the tomato sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles are well-coated with the sauce. Serve your spaghetti in a bowl, topped with some grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves. And there you have it – an easy and delicious plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce that will transport you to an Italian trattoria!
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned crushed tomatoes?
Absolutely! If you have fresh tomatoes on hand, you can blanch, peel, and crush them to make your own tomato sauce. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
2. How long can I store the leftover sauce?
You can store the leftover tomato sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for future use.
3. Can I use other types of pasta instead of spaghetti?
Of course! Feel free to use your favorite type of pasta, such as penne, linguine, or fettuccine. The sauce will taste delicious with any pasta shape.
4. Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?
Definitely! Just omit the ground beef and use a plant-based alternative or add some sautéed veggies like zucchini or bell peppers for extra flavor.
5. How can I make the sauce spicier?
If you like a kick of heat in your tomato sauce, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give it some spice.
6. What can I serve as a side dish with spaghetti?
Garlic bread, a fresh green salad, or even some roasted vegetables make great side dishes to accompany your spaghetti with tomato sauce.
7. Can I make a larger batch of sauce and freeze it?
Absolutely! You can double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch of sauce and freeze it in portion-sized containers for quick and easy meals in the future.
8. Can I add other herbs to the sauce?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to add even more flavor to your tomato sauce.
In Conclusion
With this easy spaghetti with tomato sauce recipe, you can now enjoy a delicious homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you prefer a classic version or want to add your own personal touch, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds. So go ahead and give it a try – your family and friends will be impressed with your culinary skills!
Easy Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef , lean
- 2 ½ cups tomatoes , chopped
- 1 ⅓ cans tomato paste (6 oz each)
- 1 can sliced mushrooms (4.5 oz)
- 2 tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¾ tsp white sugar
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- 12 oz spaghetti
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook and stir the ground beef in the heated skillet until it turns brown and crumbly, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from heat and drain the excess grease.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a large pot set over low heat.
- Add in the tomatoes, tomato paste, mushrooms, onion, salt, oregano, sugar, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Stir all the ingredients in the pot until well combined.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook it according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked and still firm to the bite (al dente), drain it.
- Serve the meat sauce over the cooked spaghetti.
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