This Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe is a staple at our house, especially on a weeknight when things are busy and the fridge is bare. It is a kid friendly dinner that everyone will happily eat. Follow this recipe to turn your favorite jarred marinara sauce into delicious and simple pasta dinner.
If you would rather put your Instant Pot on dinner duty for spaghetti night, check out this recipe for Instant Pot Spaghetti! Or if your family loves meatballs, pop over to this Amazing Baked Italian Meatball Recipe!
If you like to have a weekly pasta dinner, but like to keep it simple, also check out this Easy Tomato Cream Sauce recipe and Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs!
Jump to:
- Jarred Sauce or Homemade Sauce
- Spaghetti Meat Sauce Ingredients
- Mom’s Tip
- How Much Pasta Per Person
- Listen To The Recipe!
- How To Make Meat Sauce for Spaghetti
- How To Freeze and Reheat Spaghetti Meat Sauce
- Troubleshooting your Meat Sauce Flavor
- Side Dishes
- More Simple Pasta Recipes
- Did you make this recipe?
- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe + Video
- Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Jarred Sauce or Homemade Sauce
In this recipe we are using a jarred marinara sauce and doctoring it up with a pound of ground beef and some spices for a super simple dinner. We highly recommend trying Rao’s Marinara or Tomato Basil Sauce. They are a little more expensive at the store but totally worth it!!!
We will not be going to the lengths of making a homemade sauce… that is reserved for this recipe for Homemade Marinara. Which you can absolutely use if you prefer homemade.
This is more of an easy, weeknight dinner when you have a pound of ground beef and want something delicious that everyone will eat.
Spaghetti Meat Sauce Ingredients
Here is what you will need for this Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Recipe:
- spaghetti noodles or your favorite pasta shape
- 24 oz favorite jarred marinara – we love Rao’s Traditional
- 1 lb ground beef – see notes below
- onion – yellow onion is great here
- garlic – 3 cloves is what I use, but you add as many as you want!!
- spices and herbs – dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder, garlic powder
- ground beef – I recommend using an 85/15 ground beef for your spaghetti. It has enough fat to be flavorful, but not so much that your beef is greasy.
You could also use ground turkey (I recommend using 93/7, not the 99% lean!) or Ground Italian Sausage. - marinara sauce – We really love and recommend the Rao’s Marinara or Tomato Basil sauce. It is more expensive than other brands but definitely worth it. If you have a Costco membership it is much cheaper there!
Mom’s Tip
To get all the sauce out of the jar add just a little water or broth, shake it up and add it to the pan. The extra liquid will simmer out.
How Much Pasta Per Person
This is always the issue, right!? You make enough pasta to feed an army, when you only need 2 portions.
If you plan on 1 lb of pasta feeding about 5-6 hungry people you should be good to go!
Listen To The Recipe!
How To Make Meat Sauce for Spaghetti
This is a quick overview of how to make meat sauce for spaghetti, for the full recipe with detailed instructions and measurements pop down to the recipe card.
Step 1
Brown and crumble ground beef in a pan with a little oil.
Step 2
Drain any excess grease before moving on. I like to tip the pan to the side and sop up the grease with a paper towel held by tongs.
Step 3
Add the onions and garlic to soften.
Step 4
Measure in the seasonings and spices. Customize how you like it! If you love extra basil, add it!
Step 5
Pour in your favorite marinara and stir around the pan to heat through. Taste for seasonings and add the cooked pasta.
How To Freeze and Reheat Spaghetti Meat Sauce
If you like to batch cook or prep meals ahead for the freezer, or if you have leftover meat sauce, this is the perfect recipe.
You can make this meat sauce completely, cool it and then freeze it in a freezer safe baggie or container. Just make sure you leave room for a little expansion during freezing.
When you are ready to use it just thaw it in the fridge overnight or take it straight from the freezer and place it in a warm sauce pot and simmer over medium low until it is warmed through.
Serve it up with your favorite pasta noodle.
Troubleshooting your Meat Sauce Flavor
Here are a few tips to make sure this recipe is exactly what you want it to be!
- Don’t have ground beef? You can use ground turkey, ground Italian sausage or even ground chicken.
- Sauce is too thin or watery? Keep the lid off of the pot and simmer over low for 10 minutes to concentrate. In a pinch you can also add 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cool water while the sauce is simmering. This should thicken it immediately.
- Sauce is too thick? Add a small 8oz can of tomato sauce. Then taste for additional seasoning.
- Sauce is too tangy? Add a couple teaspoons of sugar.
- Sauce is too sweet? Add acid, which can be in the form of balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar or tomato sauce. Add the vinegar sparingly, it can quickly take over the sauce!
- Sauce is too salty? Add cream or half and half at the end.
- Want more depth of flavor? Instead of water add red wine.
Side Dishes
Classic side dishes for a pasta dinner are of course garlic bread and Caesar salad.
You can also pair this spaghetti with sauteed green beans, a big Italian Salad, or breadsticks.
More Simple Pasta Recipes
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Did you make this recipe?
I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe + Video
Equipment
- meat masher optional but useful!
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 lb 85/15 ground beef - can use ground turkey or Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ yellow onion - diced
- 3 garlic cloves - chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ teaspoon each: onion powder, garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 24 oz favorite jarred marinara sauce - recommend Rao's Marinara or Tomato Basil Sauce
- ⅓ cup water or chicken broth
Optional Garnish
- shredded or grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot put water on to boil for your pasta… be sure to salt the water generously. The water should taste like sea water!
- In a separate large sauté pan with high sides or a sauce pot, over medium heat, add olive oil.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the ground beef and cook through while crumbling. If there is excess grease drain it off before moving on.1 lb 85/15 ground beef
- Next add the onions and garlic and saute until they are softening, about 5 minutes.½ yellow onion, 3 garlic cloves
- Stir in the oregano, basil, onion powder, and garlic powder. Warm the spices through for 1 minute.1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon each: onion powder, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Pour in the marinara, then add ⅓ cup water the empty marinara jar and give it a shake to get all the flavor out of the jar. Pour that into the sauce. (could also use red wine in place of water in this step)24 oz favorite jarred marinara sauce, ⅓ cup water or chicken broth
- Let the simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook the pasta in the boiling water at this time, following box instructions : )1 lb spaghetti
- Drain the pasta, and mix it in the sauce or serve it on the side for people to dish themselves. Serve with parmesan cheese on the side.
Storing
- Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing
- This sauce freezes really well!
- Let it cool completely and then place in a freezer safe bag or container. Make sure to leave room for expansion during freezing.
- It will be good in the freezer for about 3 months.
Using from frozen
- Let thaw in the fridge overnight and then warm in a skillet over medium low heat.
- OR … Place the frozen sauce directly into a pan over medium low heat with a couple tablespoon of water. Let simmer until it is warmed through and as thick as you like.
Recipe Tips and Notes:
- Don’t have ground beef? You can use ground turkey, ground Italian sausage or ground chicken.
- Sauce is too thin? Keep the lid off of the pot and simmer over low for 10 minutes to concentrate. In a pinch you can also add 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cool water while the sauce is simmering. This should thicken it immediately.
- Sauce is too thick? Add a small 8oz can of tomato sauce. Then taste for additional seasoning.
- Sauce is too tangy? Add a couple teaspoons of sugar.
- Sauce is too sweet? Add acid, which can be in the form of balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar or tomato sauce. Add the vinegar sparingly, it can quickly take over the sauce!
- Sauce is too salty? Add cream or half and half at the end.
- Want more depth of flavor? Instead of water add red wine
- Rather have meatballs? Pop over to this Baked Italian Meatball recipe or Italian Sausage Meatballs!
Tashina says
This is SO GOOD! I have made this several times now, and my husband loves it. Ironically, he is not a pasta lover, but he inhales this!! Thank you so much for the delicious and quick recipe! <3
Susie Weinrich says
Wow, that is high praise! Thank you so much
Harris says
Made it today and was impressed , I added a little ginger with the garlic and sugar at the end . Used the Walmart original pasta sauce which came in a can . I let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes before serving . Nice to keep things simple . Thank you .
Gloria Miller says
This is a recipe I have used several times. I halve it to make a dinner for two and save the rest of the Rao’s sauce for an Italian sausage dinner or lamb chops. We add 1/4 t black pepper and 1/4 t red pepper flakes to the sauce to bring up the spice. Tonight I also used about 1/3 of a green pepper and sauteed it with the onion and garlic. This recipe is definitely a keeper–perfect for a night when time is pressed and you can’t make a long simmer sauce.
Susie Weinrich says
That is exactly when I use the recipe too… busy nights! Love that you half the recipe for two of you 🤗
GlitzSparkle says
I appreciate this recipe so much! I can’t handle spice, so this recipe was a perfect balance between sweet and savory! Thank you so much!
Susie Weinrich says
I am the same!
Emery says
This has become a staple in my repertoire. I am not very skilled (yet) in cooking, and even I could make this, improving every time. I’ve used it to impress my housemates and even a boss for one job. Easy to follow, tastes excellent, and clear. 10/10 recommend, I make it regularly.
Susie Weinrich says
Oh I love this! Having those recipes that help you feel like a success in the kitchen make you want to cook more for sure. You should try the ground beef tacos next.
Samantha Robinson says
I try a lot of recipes and this is one of my very favorites. It’s easy but tastes complex. I use Italian sausage and added red pepper flakes and a drizzle of high quality evoo to mine and my husband’s, while my toddler enjoyed his with just some freshly shaved Parmesan on top. When he approves, we know it’s good.
Debbie says
Everyone in the family from two to 86 loved it! It was a brilliant idea to include the measurements in the instructions. A new family favorite!
Kathy says
Wow!! Best fix EVER for jarred pasta sauce!! Absolutely delicious!! Spices were right on!! And I love the way you set up the recipe!! After the ingredients, your directions were great! Because: In the directions, when you mentioned the ingredients in each step, you included the measurement amounts again, so we didn’t have to scroll back up to the ingredient list to see the amounts!! Very rare!! And very helpful when you’re on a tight schedule!! Thank you!! It’s now my go to recipe!!
Diane says
Very good spaghetti sauce recipe. We really enjoyed it. The cook (me) especially appreciated the great directions. The best I have ever seen. Thank you.
LJ says
Delish! And easy! And fast! 😋😋😋😋😋
Bonnie says
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe. It’s so very delicious and perfect. Also your style of writing a recipe is top notch and extremely easy to follow. Your effort is greatly appreciated!! 👍👍👍
Di says
This is excellent! I do use pasta water in jar to get out all the goodness, and I use frozen diced onions and peppers but other than that follow your recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Kim says
Hi Susie. I just made this recipe, and I love it. So quick but yummy and full of flavor. Thanks a lot, and thank you for not using my name and email address for anything. 🙂
Susie Weinrich says
Absolutely!! Thank you for taking the time to comment and rate the recipe!! XO
Lauren says
I always keep a jar of marinara on hand for this recipe! love how flavorful and satisfying this is and how quickly it comes together. a weeknight staple for us!
MJ says
I use Rao sauce with this and its excellent!