The Bear Spaghetti with Rich Tomato Sauce (Printable)
Rustic spaghetti with rich tomato meat sauce, aromatic herbs, and Parmesan for a comforting Italian-American meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz dried spaghetti
→ Sauce
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 lb ground beef
06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1 tsp dried basil
08 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
09 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
10 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
11 - 1 tsp sugar
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ To Serve
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
15 - Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Stir in the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Add the tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
05 - Pour in the crushed tomatoes and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
06 - Toss the drained spaghetti with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan, fresh basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The sauce develops this incredible depth that only comes from letting it simmer patiently while you catch up on life
- Its the kind of meal that makes everyone forget their phones and gather around the table instead
02 -
- Reserve that pasta water even if you think you will not need it, the starchy liquid is what binds the sauce to the noodles
- The sauce will continue to thicken as it rests, so do not reduce it too much on the stove
03 -
- Grate a little nutmeg into the sauce while it simmers, its a classic Italian trick that people can never quite identify
- Finish each bowl with a drizzle of your best olive oil, it adds a luxurious touch