Southern Spaghetti with Meat and Tomato Sauce Recipe
Discover the comforting flavors of Southern Spaghetti, a hearty pasta dish featuring a savory combination of ground beef and Italian sausage simmered in a rich tomato sauce with classic seasonings. This easy-to-make recipe combines tender spaghetti with a flavorful meat sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or weeknight cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Garnish
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat to keep the sauce from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Continue to sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes, allowing their flavors to meld with the meat.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and develops a rich flavor.
- Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the spaghetti following the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Once the sauce is ready and thickened, add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat all the noodles evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the Southern Spaghetti hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired for an extra burst of flavor and freshness.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with lentils or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
- Enhance the sauce by adding chopped mushrooms or zucchini for extra vegetables and flavor.
Keywords: Southern Spaghetti, Italian sausage, ground beef pasta, tomato sauce spaghetti, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner