One of the easiest and most delicious versions of the classic dinner recipe everyone loves! This easy spaghetti is full of hamburger meat, tasty seasonings, and tomato sauce. The whole family will approve of this spaghetti recipe – even the kids!!
Spaghetti is probably the most kid-friendly pasta recipe to ever exist! Serve it with a side of breadsticks, and a fresh salad, and your whole family will be thanking you!
Best Spaghetti Recipe
It seems like everyone I have ever met has “a spaghetti recipe” they know and love, and each one is different! Some have store-bought sauce, some homemade. Some have meat, some have veggies, others don’t.
It just surprises me that they are all different, but I love that everyone has their own twist on this classic dinner recipe have made it a certain way for years.
Like so many other families, we too have a favorite Spaghetti recipe we’ve made for years and love. That’s probably why we make this spaghetti for dinner so often (we also have a great Baked Spaghetti and Chicken Spaghetti we love)! It’s simple, easy to make, always tastes delicious, and everyone likes it.
The thing I love most of all is that the leftovers are just as great! Honestly, it tastes exactly the same heated up as if it was just made (my kind of leftover)!! Whenever I make this spaghetti, I usually serve it with some cheesy garlic bread and a side like Fried Zucchini, and it makes for one delicious meal!
How to Make spaghetti sauce:
Our spaghetti has a delicious sauce recipe with just a hint of sweetness. The sauce takes some time since you simmer it for almost an hour, but I promise it’s worth it. Here are the steps to make homemade spaghetti sauce…
Brown your hamburger in a large pan. Drain the fat if desired. Throw in salt, pepper, tomato sauce and paste, water (with the bouillon cubes in it or beef broth in the can), sugar, basil, oregano and garlic. Simmer on low for 45 minutes to an hour.
Twenty minutes before the hour is up, cook the box of spaghetti noodles as directed on package. Once the noodles are cooked, add them to the sauce and serve right away.
We like to top our spaghetti off with grated (or even shredded) Parmesan cheese and some fresh basil if desired. It truly is so delicious!
If you would like a meatless version, you can cook the sauce without hamburger, and just put a tablespoon of olive oil in the pan before adding any other ingredients. You can make meatballs on the side if some people want the option to add meat!
Tips and alternatives
What are some alternatives for the pasta? Try using zucchini noodles, rice noodles, or spaghetti squash in lieu of traditional spaghetti noodles.
How do I lower the acidity in spaghetti? If you find the sauce to be more acidic than you’d like, then try adding one of these: ½ -1 tsp of white or brown sugar, ½ of a shredded carrot, some sautéed onions and mushrooms, ¼ tsp baking soda for every 12 oz. of sauce, or ⅛ c parmesan or Romano cheese for every 12 oz of sauce.
Can spaghetti be frozen? You can freeze spaghetti a couple of ways. (1) Freeze only the sauce. Cook sauce according to recipe directions, let cool, put into an airtight freezer safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. To use: thaw in the fridge, place sauce into a saucepan on the stove top and heat. Cook pasta according to directions.
(2) Make the sauce according to recipe directions and cook the noodles al dente. Combine the two, cool, and place into an airtight freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. To use: thaw in the fridge. Place into a baking dish, cover with foil and put in the oven preheated to 350 degrees F. Bake for about 30 minutes or until hot.
How to reheat spaghetti? Leftover spaghetti can last in the fridge for 3-5 days if properly stored in an airtight container. To reheat quickly, microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until hot.
If you have more time, reheat in the oven. Place into a baking dish, cover with foil and put in the oven preheated to 350 degrees F. Bake until hot. The actual baking time will depend on how much is being reheated.
We’ve made this recipe for so long and know that all the kids LOVE it! No onions… no veggies… I guess that’s what makes it kid-friendly, lol!
what to serve with spaghetti?
For more great pasta recipes, check out:
- Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
- Chicken Spaghetti
- Chicken and Asparagus Pasta
- Cheesy Beef Goulash
- Sun-Dried Tomato Fettuccine
- Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
Spaghetti Recipe
This easy spaghetti recipe is kid-friendly and is made with a delicious homemade spaghetti sauce making it the perfect family dinner recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 lb hamburger
- 2 cubes beef bouillion
- 1 can tomato sauce 8 oz
- 1 can tomato paste 6 oz
- pepper to taste
- 2 c hot water
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- dash of garlic
- 16 oz spaghetti noodles
Instructions
-
Brown your hamburger in a large pan.
-
Once cooked, throw in salt, pepper, tomato sauce and paste, water (with the bouillon cubes in it), sugar, basil, oregano and garlic. Simmer on low for an hour.
-
A few minutes before the hour is done, cook box of spaghetti noodles as directed on package.
-
Once the noodles are cooked, drain and add to spaghetti sauce. ENJOY!
Can’t go wrong with spaghetti! This recipe look delish!
Definitely not – especially in our fam! We have it at least once a month! 😉
My family loooves spaghetti. Josh usually makes it on Sunday with a “secret ingredient” for everyone to guess. 😉 We’ll have to try this one. Pinned!
That’s so fun!! Definitely have Josh give this recipe a try… it’s so easy and delish!! XO
Yum, Yum, Yummmmmmy! This looks lip smackin’ good!!! I can’t wait to try this recipe!!!! 🙂
Let me know if you do try it. It’s our FAVORITE!! 😀
This was so good. Tried it lastnight. Not only did my husband and I both like it, but my picky little eater loved it too! And she usually wants spaghetti with no sauce. Lastnight she asked for “a little more sauce”. So kudos to you, I’ll definitely be sifting through your other website and goodies on your site.
Your comment made my day, Michele! I LOVE hearing that. This Spaghetti recipe is definitely our fav! Our kids are picky too but they’ll eat this no problem at all!! 😀
My kids and husband are extremely picker eaters and hate jar sauce, so this was a good find. They love it. The only thing I found is that a whole box of noodles (at least the barilla multigrain kind I use) is too much for the amount of sauce. So I only use 3/4 of a box of noodles and we have plenty leftover with our family of 5.
I found this recipe via Recipe Girl and the weekly meal plans. This reminds me of the spaghetti I ate when growing up — except that there was onion in it.
I did make one major change to the preparation of the recipe. I recently read the article at Food52 about the origins of Martha Stewart’s One Pan Pasta Recipe along with some variations. I decided to try and make this with that method. Instead of adding 2 cups of water, I added 4 1/2 cups and the spaghetti and let it boil for 9 minutes. Perfect! And only one pan to wash.
Oh, perfect! I’m so glad you liked it and will have to try it one pan next time I make it. Thanks for the tip! 😀
Do you drain the fat from the hamburger? and what mix should I use 70/30 or something leaner?
Yes, you could drain the meat or you don’t have to. I have done both and they work out the same..it just depends on what you like and as far as the meat, you could use whatever meat you like. I use whatever I have on hand, usually 80/20, but any of it, will be just fine in this recipe. Hope you enjoy, as much as we do…it’s the best!
I’d like to try this recipe. Do you use a pound of pasta? The amount isn’t specified in the recipe.
Thanks!
I’ve been making this recipe at least ten times now but i STILL don’t know exactly what measurements you are using for the tomato sauce or the tomato paste ! what exactly is the size of a small can of tomato sauce and a small can of tomato paste ?
Personally, I don’t remember the ounces but it’s the “SMALLEST” cans available for the sauce and the paste. I hope this helps.
Yes, the tomato sauce is 8 ounces & I can’t think of the paste, but it’s the small, tiny can 🙂
Sounds like a good recipe, and very similar to mine! I actually use Better ‘n Boullion chicken flavor. It’s a flavorful paste, more expensive than bouillon but much more flavorful and lasts longer. And I use the chicken flavor, which sounds strange but works really well. I’ll have to try yours too! I’ll probably add a bit of olive oil. Thanks! ❤
Thanks for sharing that!! I will have to try it!!
For the small cans, you mean the 8 oz cans correct? Just not the standard size?
Also for your basil and oregano – did you use dried or fresh? Thanks!
Yes, the 8 ounce 🙂 I use dried. Hope you like this as much as we do!
How much salt? The recipe doesn’t say?
Sorry, I need to add that. It is 1/2 teaspoon of salt 🙂
I could eat this Spaghetti all day, every day! I love when my family makes this!
this recipe is on my weekly rotation! my kids could eat this every day! It is full of flavor & way better than any jarred sauce. I won’t make it any other way!
The first ever recipe that I made for my husband. Its the only spaghetti recipe that I use. So good and easy to make. Love it!
Thank you for Sharing this great Spaghetti sauce recipe. It’s simplE to make and my family loved it.
I am glad you did!! It is a staple around our house! Thank you so much!
My extemely picky 11 year old loved this sauce and even ate the lasagna I made with it, so it’s a keepeR. I made a small change and used low-sodium beef broth instead of the BOUILLON cubes and water.
Given how much she liked it, any suggestions for other “picky eater” favouRites? ?
Yay!! I love to hear that!! Oh, man..my kids love most of the pastas I share or chicken recipes. Usually, those get eaten 🙂
We lOve this sauce. I sharEd it wIth my BFF. She uses it With her eggplant Parmesan. Can i ude this for lasagna?
That would be good! I am sure you could 🙂
I went ahead and used the kid-friendlY sPaghetti saUce without hesitating to wait for a reply. My 10y/o has been bUgging me to make lasagna for a feW weekends now. It was absolutely delicious! Thanks again for sharing this recipe.
That is good to know! Thank you so much for sharing that!
This recipe is delicous. I am curious however as to how much garlic You RECOMMEND adding.
I just add a dash, really. Maybe 1/2 a teaspoon. If you love garlic, you could add more, or if you don’t like it, it can always be less.
The only go to recipe for spaghetti that I ever use. Its a family favorite. Dont Make any changes other than quadruple to feed my hungry family!
This is definitely the most requested recipe in our house!
This is the ultimate comfort food! Thank you!
This is the best spaghetti I’ve ever made! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
CouLdnt get any easier and delcious. Ive been trying to teaCh my Kids simple recipes that they can help cook. This was a perfect one. Thanks!
I love reading about people’s recipes for spaghetti! Thanks for sharing1
You are so welcome!! I am the same way!
this recipe is a keeper! I can’t believe how easy it is and so saucy and delicious!
This is by far the yummiest spaghetti recipe! My kids love it & there is never any leftovers! I always keep ingredients on hand!
this recipe is kid friendly and one the whole family will love! Spaghetti is usually on our menu once a month and we all love this one! great flavor and delicious!
This reicpe is so easy and makes borIng sPaghetti fUN again! Budget friendly, yummy, and quick and easy to make!
Thank you so much for sharing that!
Yum! perfect meat sauce recipe, especially for those who like tomato sauce but dislike eating tomatoes 🙂 the amount of sauce was perfect for a serving of four in this household.
Thank you for letting me know! I am glad you tried it!
This is a great RECIPE….I veganized it as FOLLOWS….1 cup prepared TVP….No HAMBURGER…1 med can tomatoe sauce instead of a small CAN….then followed the rest of the RECIPE….I put it all in a small crockpot for 8 HOURS…This was really GOOD….Absolutely will make it again…….Thank you
Thank you for sharing what did. Hopefully, it will help anyone else looking to need it vegan 🙂