Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Kosher salt, to taste (approximately 1 teaspoon total)
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste (approximately 1/2 teaspoon total)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 8 oz pot-sized spaghetti noodles, uncooked
- 4 large fresh basil leaves
- Fresh parsley, for sprinkling
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a 4-quart pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they start to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper, and continue sautéing for another 2 minutes to release their flavors.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add 1 pound of lean ground beef to the pot. Season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and break up the beef with a spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Stir in 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 8 oz tomato sauce, an additional 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning. Add the 4 large fresh basil leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Stir in the uncooked 8 oz pot-sized spaghetti noodles, making sure they are submerged in the sauce. Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Let cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat, discard the basil leaves if desired, and serve the spaghetti topped with fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a perfect finish.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excessive grease in the sauce.
- Stir occasionally during the pasta cooking step to prevent noodles from sticking or clumping.
- If the sauce thickens too much before pasta is cooked, add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to loosen it.
- Fresh basil adds aromatic flavor; if unavailable, substitute with dried basil but lessen quantity to 1 teaspoon.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
