Old-School Spaghetti with Just Ground Beef

Here’s a classic, old-school spaghetti with just ground beef — simple, comforting, and exactly like grandma used to make 🍝🥩

🍝 Old-School Spaghetti with Ground Beef

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 medium onion, chopped (optional, but adds flavor)

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (24 oz) jar tomato sauce or 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 12 oz spaghetti noodles

• 1–2 tbsp olive oil

• Optional: grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

   • Boil a large pot of salted water.

   • Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Cook the ground beef

   • In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.

   • Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.

   • If using, add onion and garlic; cook 2–3 more minutes until softened.

3. Add sauce & seasoning

   • Stir in tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

   • Simmer gently 15–20 minutes to let flavors meld.

   • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

4. Combine pasta & sauce

   • Either toss spaghetti with the sauce in the pan or serve the sauce over plated spaghetti.

5. Serve

   • Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top if desired.

   • Serve with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad for the classic experience.

Tips for Old-School Flavor

• Simmer longer: letting the sauce cook 30–40 minutes develops richer flavor.

• No fancy additions needed: this recipe is about the simple comfort of beef + tomato + pasta.

• Optional touch: a pinch of sugar in the sauce balances acidity, just like grandma used to do.

• Make-ahead: sauce can be made a day ahead; flavor improves overnight.

If you want, I can give you a “super rich, super beefy old-school spaghetti” version that tastes like it came from an Italian-American family kitchen — just ground beef and a ton of flavor.