Classic Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Ragu Sauce Recipe

Spaghetti with ground beef and ragu sauce is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. If you want to learn how to make this delicious meal, you’ve come to the right place. This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy a hearty and comforting meal without spending too much time or effort in the kitchen.

First things first, you’ll need to gather the ingredients. For the sauce, you’ll need ground beef, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and Italian herbs. As for the spaghetti, all you need is a package of your preferred brand. Once you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to start cooking! Follow the steps and tips in this article, and you’ll have a delicious homemade spaghetti with ground beef and ragu sauce in no time.

Ingredients Needed

To create the perfect spaghetti dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:

1 pound of ground beef
1 jar of ragu sauce
1 pound of spaghetti noodles
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Step 1: Prepare the Beef for the Sauce

In a large pot or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions to the skillet and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Then add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Season the beef with salt and pepper according to taste.

Step 2: Whip Up the Sauce

Once the beef has browned, add 2 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute. Then add a jar of ragu sauce to the skillet and stir.
Cover the skillet with a lid, and let the sauce simmer for around 10-15 minutes while occasionally stirring.

Step 3: Boil the Spaghetti Noodles

In a separate pot, boil 1 pound of spaghetti noodles according to the package’s instructions. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse with cool water to prevent them from sticking together.

Step 4: Combine the Spaghetti with Sauce

Mix the spaghetti noodles with the ragu sauce and beef in the skillet until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce.

Step 5: Bring it Together

Serve the spaghetti in a bowl or plate, and garnish it with grated Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs like basil and parsley.

Tips and Tricks

– If you prefer a meatier sauce, you can add extra beef to the recipe.
– Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the skillet to give the sauce some extra heat.
– When cooking the spaghetti noodles, add a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water for added flavor.
– To prevent the noodles from sticking together, you can add a little bit of olive oil to them after draining.

The Bottom Line

With these easy-to-follow instructions, you can create a delicious and hearty spaghetti dish that will impress anyone. Experiment with the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or spices to the sauce to make a dish that is truly your own. Enjoy!

What You Will Need

Before diving into the recipe, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment. Here’s a rundown of what you need:

1. Ground beef – Depending on how many servings you want to make, you’ll need one to two pounds of ground beef. Look for ground beef with a higher fat content (around 80%) for a more flavorful dish.

2. Ragu sauce – You can either make your own ragu sauce or use a jar of store-bought sauce. If you’re making your own, you’ll need canned tomatoes, garlic, onion, olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings.

3. Spaghetti – This classic pasta is the perfect vessel for your meaty ragu sauce. You’ll need one pound of spaghetti.

4. Salt – To season your pasta water.

5. Olive oil – To prevent your pasta from sticking together.

6. Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese is the perfect finishing touch to this dish.

7. Large pot – For boiling your pasta.

8. Large skillet – For browning your ground beef and simmering your ragu sauce.

9. Wooden spoon – To stir your sauce.

10. Colander – To drain your pasta.

Preparing the Ingredients

Before you start cooking, it’s important to prepare your ingredients. Begin by finely chopping your garlic and onion. If you’re making your own ragu sauce, puree your canned tomatoes in a blender or food processor until smooth.

Next, fill your large pot with water and add a tablespoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil and add your spaghetti. Cook your spaghetti until it’s al dente, or cooked but still firm to the bite.

While your pasta is cooking, heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and your ground beef. Cook your ground beef, breaking it up with your wooden spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through.

Once your ground beef is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and your garlic and onion. Cook until the onions are translucent and fragrant.

Now it’s time to add your pureed tomatoes (if you’re making your own sauce), salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings to the skillet. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer. Let your sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it thickens slightly.

When your pasta is done cooking, drain it in your colander and add it to the skillet with your ragu sauce. Toss everything together until your spaghetti is coated in the meaty sauce.

Finally, top your spaghetti with freshly grated parmesan cheese and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious and satisfying spaghetti with ground beef and ragu sauce!

Ingredients to Make Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Ragu Sauce

Spaghetti with ground beef and ragu sauce is a classic Italian dish that is both delicious and easy to make. Before we start cooking, let’s gather all the ingredients we need.

Preparing the Spaghetti and Ground Beef

1. Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the package until it is al dente.

2. While the spaghetti is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, stirring occasionally. Drain the excess fat from the skillet and set the meat aside.

Making the Ragu Sauce

1. Using the same skillet that you used to cook the ground beef, add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Cook until the onion is soft and the garlic is fragrant.

2. Add the jar of Ragu sauce to the skillet and stir until the sauce is heated through. Reduce the heat to low and add the browned ground beef. Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Mixing the Spaghetti and Ragu Sauce Together

1. Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it in a colander. Shake off any excess water.

2. Add the spaghetti to the skillet with the Ragu sauce and ground beef. Toss the pasta until it is coated in the sauce.

3. Serve the spaghetti hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Variations and Tips

– You can add more vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms or zucchini to the Ragu sauce to increase the nutritional value of the dish.
– If you want a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the Ragu sauce.
– Make sure to stir the spaghetti frequently while it is cooking to prevent it from sticking together.
– To save time, you can use pre-made spaghetti sauce instead of the Ragu sauce.

That’s how you make spaghetti with ground beef and ragu sauce!

Now you’re ready to impress your dinner guests or simply treat yourself to a delicious, comforting meal. Thanks for reading and I hope you found this recipe helpful. Remember, cooking should be a fun and enjoyable experience, so don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe your own. Don’t forget to visit again soon for more easy and tasty meal ideas. Happy cooking!