Description
- This Old-Fashioned Spaghetti recipe is a classic, simple, and comforting dish made with a rich tomato sauce, fresh garlic, and Italian seasonings. It’s a timeless family favorite that can be enjoyed any day of the week. Serve with grated Parmesan and a side of garlic bread for the perfect Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
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For the Sauce:
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
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1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
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1/2 cup water (or as needed)
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1 teaspoon dried basil
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1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
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1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to cut acidity)
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
For the Pasta:
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1 lb spaghetti
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Salt, for boiling water
To Serve:
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Grated Parmesan cheese
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Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
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Instructions
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Prepare the sauce:
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. -
Add the tomatoes and seasonings:
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. Add the oregano, basil, thyme, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together. -
Cook the spaghetti:
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later. -
Combine the pasta and sauce:
Add the drained spaghetti to the saucepan with the sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. -
Serve:
Divide the spaghetti among serving plates. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired. Serve with a side of garlic bread and enjoy!
Notes
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For extra flavor, you can add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat or sauté some ground beef or sausage with the onion for a meat sauce.
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This recipe can be made ahead of time. The sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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Feel free to customize the sauce with your favorite herbs and seasonings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 5mg