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Bowl of mom's spaghetti served with herbs and parmesan cheese, perfect for breakfast.

Mom’s Spaghetti

A comforting family recipe for spaghetti with a rich and tangy sauce that can be enjoyed any time of day.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 1 lb spaghetti (or your favorite pasta) Adjust based on preference.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp olive oil For sautéing.
  • 1 medium onion, chopped For the sauce base.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced For flavor.
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey For a vegetarian option, use lentils or mushrooms.
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz) Base of the sauce.
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste To thicken the sauce.
  • 1 tsp dried oregano For herbs.
  • 1 tsp dried basil For herbs.
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes Adjust to your spice preference.
  • Salt and pepper to taste To season.
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional) For serving.
  • Parmesan cheese to serve (optional) For garnish and flavor.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Salt the boiling water to flavor the pasta.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, around 30 seconds.
  4. Add ground meat to the skillet, breaking it apart and cooking until browned. If using lentils or mushrooms, simmer for a few extra minutes.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, then add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  6. Let the sauce simmer for about 15–20 minutes until slightly thickened and flavors meld.
Combining and Serving
  1. Reserve a bit of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
  2. Toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce, mixing it well and using reserved pasta water if needed.
  3. Serve with fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 800mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10g

Notes

For a classic meal, serve with garlic bread and salad. Experiment with toppings like a fried egg for breakfast.

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