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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.

Yes, it’s the one mom made since we were little and the same dinner recipe our kids know and love today. It is SO easy (just a few steps and a quick prep) and packed with all the spaghetti flavors we love – with no crazy ingredients that scare kids away.

The family love to eat it with a side of garlic bread for a quick and simple weeknight dinner that’s ALWAYS a hit – even with our picky eaters!

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

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • No fail! This recipe is so simple that even your kids can make it. Just 5 minutes of prep and a few easy steps.
  • Loved by all. There are no crazy ingredients in this recipe, which means even the pickiest of eaters love it.
  • The perfect dinner. Add some cheesy garlic bread or garlic knots and a salad, and this is the perfect Sunday dinner.
Ingredients for spaghetti recipe on counter.

Spaghetti Ingredients and Substitutions

  • 1 pound ground beef – 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.
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato pasta
  • salt + black pepper – to taste
  • 2 cups hot water – or 2 cups beef broth instead of the bouillon and water
  • 2 cubes beef bouillon – omit if using beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons sugar – balances the acidity in the tomato sauce. Shredded carrots or sautéed mushrooms can also help with the acidity.
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil – or ½ tablespoon fresh basil during the last 10 minutes
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano – or add ½ tablespoon fresh oregano during the last 10 minutes
  • dash of garlic salt – or fresh, minced garlic and/or red pepper flakes for a little heat
  • onions – optional (our kids aren’t fans, but if they like them, you can throw in either finely 1/4 cup finely chopped onions or even 1 tablespoon dried onions.
  • 16 ounces spaghetti noodles – or zucchini noodles, rice noodles, or Spaghetti Squash
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Browned hamburger beef in skillet for spaghetti recipe.
Browned hamburger beef in skillet withs spaghetti sauce poured over the top.
Tomato and meat sauce cooking in a pan on the stove.
Spaghetti Noodles being cooked in water in pot.

How to Make Spaghetti

  1. GROUND BEEF. Brown 1 pound ground beef in a large pan over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
  2. SAUCE. Heat 2 cups water with 2 beef bullion cubes in the microwave. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste into the browned meat, 1 can tomato sauce, 1 can tomato paste, 2 cups water with the bouillon cubes, 2 teaspoons sugar, ½ teaspoon basil, ½ teaspoon oregano, and a dash of garlic salt. Simmer on low for 40-60 minutes.
  3. NOODLES. A few minutes before the hour is up, cook 1 pound 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.
  4. SERVE. We like to top our spaghetti with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese and some fresh basil.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • We always salt the water pasta generously, which helps with the flavor.
  • To help balance the acidity in the sauce add sugar or shredded carrots.
  • Before you drain your pasta, scoop out about 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta water to add to your sauce at the end. It coats the noodles perfectly, giving you that smooth, restaurant-quality texture.
  • If you’re watching your carbs, we like to cook up Spaghetti Squash and use that instead of noodles.
Spaghetti served on a plate with fresh basil.
5 from 365 votes

Kid-Friendly Spaghetti

By: Lil’ Luna
Our favorite spaghetti is kid-friendly and simple with a delicious homemade sauce making it the perfect family dinner recipe!
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 50 minutes

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 minutes.
  • 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. Top with Parmesan.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips:
  • The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld and intensify.
  • Add dry herbs at the beginning and fresh herbs toward the end.
  • Taste as you go and add any extra seasonings.
  • To help balance the acidity in the sauce add sugar or shredded carrots.
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 freeze 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.  You can also make meatballs on the side if some people want the option to add meat.
Low-carb version.  Try using zucchini noodles, rice noodles or spaghetti squash in lieu of traditional spaghetti noodles.

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

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Can I make a meatless sauce?

Cook the sauce without the hamburger 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 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 leftover spaghetti?

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

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This recipe was first shared 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!

More About Kristyn

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5 from 365 votes (295 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




116 Comments

  1. Ava says:

    I don)t like it

    Reply
  2. Samantha Ruiz says:

    5 stars
    My kids and husband loved this ! So simple and easy ! Paired with some garlic bread *chefs kiss*

    Reply
  3. Ellie Grove says:

    5 stars
    We love this spaghetti! It is rich and hearty! My youngest son just requested it again for his birthday this week. It is always a hit!

    Reply
  4. Rene says:

    5 stars
    This was a great back to school dinner, the kids ate it up. No complaints!

    Reply
  5. Mel says:

    5 stars
    This spaghetti was so easy to make and so delicious. My whole family loved it!

    Reply
  6. Deb says:

    Just a tip, after browningmet i put a little olive oil in and pan and the tomato paste in and saute along with the meat for about 3 min until you see the paste turn a darker shade of red. Then continue as your recipe states.
    I feel this really makes a huge differece cooking the padt a bit.

    Reply
    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  7. Marisela says:

    5 stars
    The whole family loved it. My 4 year old finally eat something we did! Yes! I made it with Turkey & added 2 garlic cloves for extra flavor… so delicious.

    I also made a gluten free past & regular spaghetti. I added the regular spaghetti to the sauce, which was a hit. It will be on the dinner rotation.

    Reply
  8. Pk says:

    5 stars
    I tried making my own using your recipe I found that is so amazing results

    Reply
  9. Krys says:

    5 stars
    Simmering the sauce for 1 hour is the key. It makes all the difference. Finally my spaghetti is chef’s kiss. Thank you!

    Reply
  10. Tanya says:

    5 stars
    I would love your cookbook.

    Reply