DinnerCountSpaghetti & Meat Sauce
Most families can make spaghetti without a recipe, and this version makes a jar of marinara taste better. You brown the beef with onion and garlic, stir in the sauce, and let it simmer for ten minutes while the pasta cooks. Then you toss it all together in the pot and top it with Parmesan. It takes one pot and one skillet.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- Spaghetti pasta1 lb
- Ground beef1 lb
- Marinara sauce (jar)1 jar (24 oz)
- Yellow onion½ each
- Garlic clove2 cloves
- Italian seasoning1 tsp
- Parmesan cheese¼ cup
How Much to Make for 2, 4, 6, or 8
For 2 people, you’ll need ½ lb spaghetti pasta, ½ lb ground beef, and about ½ of a 24 oz jar of marinara sauce.
For 4 people, you’ll need 1 lb spaghetti pasta, 1 lb ground beef, and 1 jar (24 oz) of marinara sauce.
For 6 people, you’ll need 1½ lb spaghetti pasta, 1½ lb ground beef, and 1½ jars (24 oz) of marinara sauce.
For 8 people, you’ll need 2 lb spaghetti pasta, 2 lb ground beef, and 2 jars (24 oz) of marinara sauce.
| Ingredient | For 2 | For 4 | For 6 | For 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti pasta | ½ lb | 1 lb | 1½ lb | 2 lb |
| Ground beef | ½ lb | 1 lb | 1½ lb | 2 lb |
| Marinara sauce (jar) | about ½ of a 24 oz jar | 1 jar (24 oz) | 1½ jars (24 oz) | 2 jars (24 oz) |
| Yellow onion | ¼ each | ½ each | ¾ each | 1 each |
| Garlic clove | 1 clove | 2 cloves | 3 cloves | 4 cloves |
| Italian seasoning | ½ tsp | 1 tsp | 1½ tsp | 2 tsp |
| Parmesan cheese | 2 tbsp | ¼ cup | 6 tbsp | ½ cup |
The amounts are rounded to what you can measure at home. Pounds are rounded to the nearest quarter or third, cups to the marks on a measuring cup, and spoons to real measuring spoons. An egg stays whole. Because of the rounding, some amounts are the same at two sizes.
- For 2: This recipe is written for 4 adult-size portions. You are cooking about 2 adult portions, which is roughly 0.5 times the recipe. This is less than the recipe assumes. The same 12-inch skillet works (a 10-inch one is better if you have it). Small amounts cook faster and sauces thicken sooner, so check early and add a splash of water if the pan gets dry.
- For 6: This recipe is written for 4 adult-size portions. You are cooking about 6 adult portions, which is roughly 1.5 times the recipe. This calls for a 12-inch skillet. At about 1.5× the recipe, brown it in two batches, because a crowded pan steams the food and does not brown it. Then bring it back together in the skillet.
- For 8: This recipe is written for 4 adult-size portions. You are cooking about 8 adult portions, which is roughly 2 times the recipe. This calls for a 12-inch skillet. At about 2× the recipe, brown the beef in two batches, because a crowded pan steams the meat and does not brown it. Then bring it back together in the skillet with the sauce. It will be full, so simmer it over low heat and stir gently.
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Steps
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti for the time on the package. The spaghetti is done when it is tender with a little bite left. Drain it.
- While the water heats, chop the onion and finely chop the garlic. Put the ground beef, the onion, and the garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks. The beef is done when no pink remains and it reads 160°F on a thermometer. Spoon off the fat.
- Stir in the marinara and the Italian seasoning, and turn the heat down to low. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes. The sauce is ready when it has thickened and darkened a little.
- Return the drained spaghetti to its pot, pour the sauce over it, and toss. Serve with the Parmesan on top.
Good to Know
- Contains Milk, Wheat. This comes from the ingredient names, so it is not a complete list. The ingredient names do not show what is inside a jar, a mix, or a sauce, and formulas change. For an allergy or intolerance, read the package every time, and never decide from this line.
- 🌡 Ground beef: cook to 160°F at the thickest part, the USDA minimum for ground meat. A thermometer is the test, and color is not.
