Hearty Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce

For the Spaghetti:

• 1–2 lbs spaghetti pasta
• 1 tbsp salt (for pasta water)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (to prevent sticking)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Meat Sauce

1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onions and green pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the ground chuck. Cook until browned, breaking apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease if needed.
5. Return to heat and stir in all dry seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, and pepper.
6. Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine.
7. Reduce heat to low, cover loosely, and let the sauce simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally for deep flavor development.

2️⃣ Cook the Pasta

8. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tbsp salt and 1 tbsp olive oil.
9. Add the spaghetti and cook for 7–8 minutes (or according to package directions) until al dente.
10. Drain and do not rinse. You can toss the pasta with a small spoon of sauce to prevent sticking while the rest of the sauce finishes.

3️⃣ Serve

• Plate the hot spaghetti and generously ladle the meat sauce on top.
• Optional garnishes: fresh chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, or crushed red pepper flakes for heat.

📋 Summary