Weeknights are always challenging when it comes to making quick dinners that taste like you actually put some effort into them. This 30 minute meal is the perfect solution! This meat sauce recipe tastes like it took hours to make, but it comes together in 30 minutes. To get this meal on the table in 30, follow these steps:
Step 1 – Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Step 2 – Assemble the meat sauce while the pasta water comes to a boil.
Step 3 – While the meat sauce simmers, drop the pasta into the boiling water.
Step 4 – When the pasta is done, combine the pasta and meat sauce, and serve.
You can also double this recipe, and freeze leftovers, it reheats perfectly in the microwave or on the stove.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 24 oz. jar of your favorite marinara sauce + 1/2 cup of water
3 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 dried bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 pound of pasta, for serving
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Directions
Heat a large cast iron skillet to medium high heat, add the olive oil and ground beef. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Brown the meat and cook all the way through.
Add the chopped onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Saute for 3-4 minutes, to soften the onion and garlic.
Pour in the entire jar of marinara sauce, then add 1/2 cup of water to the jar and shake it up. Add the marinara water into the pan, too.
Mix the sauce and meat together, and add the thyme and bay leaf.
Simmer the sauce on low for 15-20 minutes, or until most of the moisture has evaporated. You want the sauce to be super thick and meaty, this is a meat sauce, after all. Taste for seasoning and add salt if needed. Toss in the fresh parsley, and stir one final time. The sauce is done!
Top the cooked spaghetti with a big spoonful of this delish meat sauce, and sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese.
Easy Weeknight Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz.)
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 dried bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1lb spaghetti pasta (for serving)
- grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Directions
1. Heat a large cast iron skillet to medium high heat, add the olive oil and ground beef. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Brown the meat and cook all the way through.
2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes into the pan with the ground beef. Saute for 3-4 minutes, to soften the onion and garlic.
3. Pour in the entire jar of marinara sauce, then add 1/2 cup of water to the jar and shake it up. Add the marinara water into the pan.
4. Mix the sauce and meat together, and add the thyme and bay leaf.
5. Simmer the sauce on low for 15-20 minutes, or until most of the moisture has evaporated. You want the sauce to be super thick and meaty. Taste for seasoning and add salt if needed. Toss in the fresh parsley, and stir one final time. Serve over cooked spaghetti, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
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