We all have our FAVORITE “spaghetti recipe” that we know and love, and today’s recipe is the same one we’ve enjoyed our entire lives. This is the spaghetti my mom made for us growing up, and it is still the version I make for my own kids today. We have kept it simple on purpose, with familiar ingredients and a homemade meat sauce even picky eaters love.

This kid-friendly spaghetti recipe is SO easy (just a few steps and a quick prep) and packed with all the spaghetti flavors we love and with no crazy ingredients that scare kids away. The family loves to eat it with a side of garlic bread for a quick and simple weeknight dinner that’s ALWAYS a hit. It is perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, and leftovers that reheat beautifully.

For other variations, we also love to make our Spaghetti Pie and Spaghetti Casserole.

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Family Favorite. This is the same simple spaghetti we grew up eating and still make for our kids today.
  • Picky-Eater Approved. Familiar ingredients and a simple homemade meat sauce make this one everyone eats.
  • Easy Prep. It only takes a few minutes to get the sauce started, then the stove does most of the work.
  • Long Simmer = More Flavor. Giving the sauce time to simmer helps all those classic spaghetti flavors come together.
  • Great for Leftovers. The sauce reheats and freezes well, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients for easy spaghetti recipe on counter.

Spaghetti Ingredients

  • Ground beef (1 pound ): Gives savory richness and meaty texture. We use 80/20 ground beef for the added flavor. Drain the excess oil. Optional: add 1-2 minced garlic cloves. Replace with ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground Italian sausage. Use ½ pound ground beef and ½ pound Italian sausage for extra flavor.
  • Tomato sauce (8-ounce can): Provides the bulk of your tomato base, smooth and saucy.
  • Tomato paste (6-ounce can): Thickens the sauce and intensifies the tomato flavor.
  • Salt + black pepper (to taste): Helps all the other flavors to pop.
  • Hot water (2 cups): Water dissolves the bouillon and helps thin the sauce to a nice consistency. You can use 2 cups of beef broth instead of the bouillon and water
  • Beef bouillon (2 cubes): Infuses the sauce with depth. Omit if using beef broth.
  • Sugar (2 teaspoons): Balances the acidity in the tomato sauce. Adding shredded carrots or sautéed mushrooms can also help with the acidity.
  • Dried basil (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle herby layer, or use ½ tablespoon fresh basil during the last 10 minutes.
  • Dried oregano (½ teaspoon): Complements the basil and gives that classic Italian note, or you may add ½ tablespoon of fresh oregano during the last 10 minutes.
  • Garlic salt (dash): Keeps the flavor simple and kid-friendly. For more garlic flavor, add 1 to 2 minced garlic cloves while browning the beef. Or add red pepper flakes for a little heat.
  • Optional onion: For even more flavor, sauté ½ to 1 small diced onion with the ground beef.
  • Spaghetti noodles (16 ounces): Carries the sauce and bring it all together. You can usezucchini noodles, rice noodles, or Spaghetti Squash instead.

How to Make Spaghetti

Browned hamburger beef in skillet for spaghetti recipe.
Browned hamburger beef in skillet withs spaghetti sauce poured over the top.

GROUND BEEF. Brown ground beef in a large pan over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.

SAUCE. Heat water with bouillon cubes in the microwave. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste into the browned meat, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water with the bouillon cubes, sugar, basil, oregano, and a dash of garlic salt.

Tomato and meat sauce cooking in a pan on the stove.
Spaghetti Noodles being cooked in water in pot.

SIMMER. Cook on low for 30-45 minutes. Let it simmer because it gives the tomato sauce, beef, herbs, and bouillon time to come together and develop more flavor.

NOTE: Taste before serving. Give the sauce a taste near the end of the simmer and add more salt, pepper, or herbs if needed.

NOODLES. A few minutes before the hour is up, cook spaghetti noodles as directed on the package (al dente). Once the noodles are cooked, add them to the sauce, stir to combine, and serve immediately. NOTE: Don’t rinse the pasta. The starch left on the noodles helps the sauce stick better.

SERVE. We like to top our spaghetti with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese and some fresh basil.

How to Make the Best Spaghetti

  • Salt the pasta water so the noodles have flavor.
  • Cook the pasta just to al dente so it does not get mushy.
  • Do not rinse the noodles after draining.
  • Let the sauce simmer for the full 30-45 minutes when you have time.
  • Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce before serving.
Easy spaghetti recipe close up image on plate with basil on side.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • If using dry herbs, add them at the beginning; add fresh herbs toward the end.
  • You can add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water before adding the pasta; this infuses flavor directly to the noodles. 
  • To help balance the acidity in the sauce, add sugar or shredded carrots.
  • If you’re watching your carbs, cook up Spaghetti Squash and use that instead of noodles. Gluten-free noodles are also a delicious option.
5 from 368 votes

Easy Spaghetti Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley
This easy spaghetti recipe features a rich homemade sauce and tender noodles, perfect for family dinners everyone will love!
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef, 80 percent lean/20 percent fat
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 2 cubes beef bouillion, or use 2 cups beef broth and omit hot water
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • pinch of garlic powder
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 (16-ounce) package spaghetti

Instructions 

  • Cook ground beef in a large pan over medium heat, breaking into small pieces, until browned, 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  • Dissolve bouillon cubes in hot water and add to meat. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for 30 – 45 minutes. The simmer gives the tomato sauce, beef, herbs, and bouillon time to come together and develop more flavor. NOTE: Taste before serving. Give the sauce a taste near the end of the simmer and add more salt, pepper, or herbs if needed.
  • A few minutes before the sauce is done, cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions.
  • Drain spaghetti and add to the sauce, tossing to coat (Don’t rinse the pasta. The starch left on the noodles helps the sauce stick better). Top with Parmesan.

Notes

Recipe Tips:
  • If using dry herbs, add them at the beginning; add fesh herbs toward the end.
  • You can add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water before adding the pasta; this infuses flavor directly to the noodles. 
  • To help balance the acidity in the sauce, add sugar or shredded carrots.
  • If you’re watching your carbs, cook up Spaghetti Squash, zucchini noodles. Gluten-free noodles are also a delicious option.
Make ahead sauce. Cook sauce according to recipe directions, let cool, put into an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat the sauce and add it to the cooked pasta.
Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days if properly stored in an airtight container(s), or put in a freezer Ziploc and freeze for up to 3 months.
Make it meatless. For a vegetarian version, skip the ground beef and add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan before adding the other ingredients. Use vegetable broth instead of the water and bouillon. Another idea is to serve meatballs on the side to add as desired. 
For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 2g, Sodium: 959mg, Potassium: 568mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 690IU, Vitamin C: 11.3mg, Calcium: 119mg, Iron: 3.5mg

Recipe FAQ

What if my sauce is too thick or thin?

Adjust the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little water or beef broth. If it is too thin, let it simmer uncovered a little longer.

Why does my sauce taste acidic?

Tomatoes can sometimes taste a little sharp. A small amount of sugar helps balance the acidity without making the sauce sweet. Shredded carrots can also add natural sweetness.

Can I make a meatless sauce?

Cook the sauce without the ground beef and only simmer for half the time. Another idea is to omit the ground beef but serve Meatballs on the side for people to add in as desired.

Make the sauce ahead of time?

Cook sauce according to recipe directions, let cool, put into an airtight freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat the sauce and add it to the cooked pasta.

How to store leftovers?

Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days if properly stored in an airtight container(s), or put in a freezer ziploc and freeze for up to 3 months.

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This recipe was originally published July 2014.

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About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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5 from 368 votes (295 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




125 Comments

  1. Tami says:

    5 stars
    The only way I ever make spaghetti now. This recipe is wonderful and so easy. Just let it simmer. My whole family, husband and 3 kids love it! Thank you for sharing

    Reply
    1. Lil' Luna Team says:

      I’m so glad your whole family loves it. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
  2. Hiroko says:

    5 stars
    Have made this recipe MANY times. LOVE!

    Reply
    1. Lil' Luna Team says:

      Coming back to it again and again is the best compliment. Thanks for the love!

      Reply
  3. David says:

    Can I use RAO’S spaghetti sauce (16 ounces) instead of this; 2 cups hot water, 2 cubes beef bouillon, or use 2 cups beef broth and omit hot water
    1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

    Reply
    1. Lil' Luna Team says:

      Yes! You can replace the homemade sauce with a bottle of Rao’s.

      Reply
  4. David says:

    …can I use Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base instead of 2 cubes beef bouillon, or use 2 cups beef broth and omit hot water?

    Reply
  5. David says:

    …can I use BETTER THAN BOUILLON instead of 2 cubes beef bouillon, or use 2 cups beef broth and omit hot water?

    Reply
  6. Dustin says:

    5 stars
    I’ve been making this recipe for at least a year, and it is such an easy weekly rotation dish. It’s delicious, filling, and feels like literally no work to just whip up and put on the stove. A nice bonus is how impressed people are by the homemade sauce (even though it is so simple to put together). Def thankful to have this one!

    Reply
  7. Cassie cline says:

    Can you make the sauce ahead of time ? I work late and wanna make it before going back to work. Didn’t know if re heating it and eating same day would make a difference

    Reply
    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes you can definitely make the sauce ahead of time!

      Reply

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