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My Mom's Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Recipe

This is the best spaghetti recipe with a homemade meat sauce and takes just a few minutes of prep and then a low simmer on the stove for a deep, meaty-flavored, easy spaghetti recipe everyone will love.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 365kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 4 stalks celery chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced or pressed
  • 1 29- ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 29- ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 6- ounce can tomato paste
  • 2 7- ounce cans sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 15- ounce can beef broth
  • 4-6 whole cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ΒΌ cup chopped fresh parsley or 4 teaspoons dried
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound dried spaghetti noodles
  • grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • In a large heavy-bottomed stock pot over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the rendered fat and add the meat back to the pot.
  • Add the chopped onion, celery, and garlic and cook until the vegetables soften, about 5-7 more minutes.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients (except the spaghetti noodles and Parmesan), stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, stir and cover with a lid, and cook for at least three hours on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
  • Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions in generously salted water. Drain and mix into the spaghetti sauce.
  • Serve with grated or ground Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

The meat sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or saved in a gallon ziplock bag and frozen for up to 3 months.