Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
Spaghetti Meat Sauce is beefy, juicy and so satisfying. It comes together fast so it is perfect for busy weeknights, and it’s freezer friendly. Meat sauce has all of the comforting flavors of Spaghetti and Meatballs, or traditional Bolognese but is much easier!
Serve this meat sauce over spaghetti with a generous amount of parmesan cheese, paired with asparagus and crusty French bread. P.S. You can also use this meat sauce to make the Best Lasagna.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Spaghetti Meat Sauce
This is my sister Svetlana’s ground beef meat sauce recipe. She uses an original Prego sauce and makes it for camping every year. You can use a homemade marinara sauce or your favorite store-bought marinara. I’ve gotten so many requests for her famous meat sauce recipe so here it is! This one rivals Olive Garden’s spaghetti and meat sauce.
Which Pasta for Meat Sauce?
Here’s the beauty of this recipe – you can pair it with your favorite pasta! Meat Sauce for pasta is traditionally made with spaghetti, but it goes really well with any of these:
- String Pastas – Spaghetti, Linguine, Fettuccine
- Ribbon Pastas – Pappardelle or Tagliatelle
- Tubular Pastas – Penne, Cannelloni, Rigatoni, Ziti
- Corkscrew Pastas – Cavatappi
How to Make Spaghetti Meat Sauce:
The ingredients for this meat sauce recipe are pantry staples and we always keep a stash of ground beef in the freezer for the days we don’t have a lot of time to get dinner on the table. It comes together in 1 pot or dutch oven and really doesn’t get any easier than this. Seriously the best meat sauce!
- Sautee ground beef until no longer pink.
- Add chopped onion, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp pepper, cook until soft then add garlic and sautee until fragrant.
- Add marinara sauce, 1/4 cup water and 1 tsp sugar. Partially cover and simmer meat sauce 20 minutes. Done!
How to Freeze Meat Sauce:
Meat sauce will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To store it longer, transfer meat sauce to a freezer-safe container, leaving just a slight amount of headroom at the top. We prefer freezing meat sauce in freezer ziploc bags because it lays flat in the freezer and can be quick-thawed under running water.
How to Defrost Meat Sauce?
There are a few ways to defrost meat sauce. Once it is fully thawed, reheat over medium heat just until hot and simmering.
- Quick-thaw method: Place the sealed bag of meat sauce in a bowl under cold water until thawed.
- Slow-thaw method: Place the frozen meat sauce in the refrigerator overnight.
- For a camping trip: place packaged frozen meat sauce in a cooler with ice and let it thaw as in a refrigerator overnight.
Family Friendly Pasta Dinners:
- Chicken Pesto Pasta – add pesto to Alfredo and see what happens!
- Chicken Tetrazzini – creamy, cheesy and always a hit!
- Creamy Mac and Cheese – easy stove-top version
- Creamy Shrimp Pasta – with the best Alfredo sauce
- Mom’s Chicken Aflredo – always a classic!
This Spaghetti Meat Sauce makes for an irresistibly good pasta dinner loved by all ages! It makes a big batch but you can easily freeze meat sauce for another night. I hope this ground beef meat sauce becomes a new favorite in your home!
Spaghetti Meat Sauce
Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce is beefy, juicy and so satisfying. This Meat Sauce recipe comes together fast so it is perfect for busy weeknights, and it's freezer friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef, 15% fat
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 12 oz spaghetti, to serve
Instructions
-
Place a pot or dutch oven over medium heat, add 1 lb ground beef and sautee, breaking it up with a spatula until no longer pink (5 minutes).
-
Add chopped onion, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp pepper and sautee until onions are soft.
-
Add garlic and sautee another 1-2 minutes until fragrant then pour in 1 jar of marinara sauce, 1/4 cup water and 1 tsp sugar. Cover and simmer over low heat 20 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, cook 12 oz of spaghetti in salted water to desired doneness according to package instructions then drain. Serve sauce with cooked pasta.
Recipe Notes
There are 2 ways to serve spaghetti and meat sauce: Add drained spaghetti to the finished sauce and toss to coat. Or, Add pasta to warm pasta bowls and top with meat sauce.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
This was soooo good!! So easy, and the flavors AMAZING. My 11 year old daughter asked for a bolognese and this was a hit. Will stay as a staple in my home 🙂
Love it! Thanks a lot for the good comments and feedback.
Hi there Natasha, you have some of the same recipes that I have. Like your spaghetti sauce, but I use green pepper, tomato sauce diced tomatoes and a handful of Italian seasoning. The wife says it’s the best. Thick and chunky. not soupy. Thanks a bunch for your recipes.
You’re welcome, Brian. I hope you and your wife will enjoy all the recipes that you will try!
Do you drain the grease from the beef after browning? No one mentioned this
Hi Sue, we did not need to drain the meat but feel free to do so if it comes out too greasy.
OMG so easy quick and delicious!! I used a jar of rao’s bolognese sauce and it was divine. Will be making this quite often!❤️
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Joyce!
Absolutely delicious. I went with ground chicken instead of beef, and I know it would’ve been even better with beef. I added double the salt and garlic, and included some liquid aminos and liquid smoke as well! Thank you for this recipe.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Ellie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
In the picture it looks like you’ve added cherry tomatoes…I’ve never seen marinara with whole tomatoes in it..
Hi Diane, everything that I used is in the recipe card. I used my homemade Marinara Sauce
I made this last night as directed and it was absolutely delicious! I saved the recipe to use in the future. Thank you!!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Jen!
A favorite in our family. My kids gave me so much praises for this meal. I said it is from this recipe.
That is the best when kids love what we parents make. That’s so great!
Made this last night for dinner. Everyone loved it – Absolutely fantastic Natasha!!!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, James! I’m glad it was a hit!
hmm never thought of using cumin in spaghetti sauce. not gonna lie was damn good.
Very nice to know that you tried and loved it!
This was really good. Instead of water, I added red wine and swished it around in the Marinara sauce jar before adding. I also seasoned more with inning and garlic powder and added sliced cherry tomatoes. Topped with fresh basil and freshly heated parmesan. Thank you… it was outstanding!
Yum! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Margot! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!
This is so delicious and easy to make! I served it with fresh bread & salad! Yum, yum!
Hi Shelly, we LOVE easy recipes, and I’m so glad you do too! Thank you for sharing your great review
I made this last night and I was surprised how quick and easy it was. My husband kept raving about it so this will definitely be added as a staple dinner for us!
Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Jane. I’m so happy you both enjoyed it!
I’m planning on using this recipe tonight for dinner😋 with raviolis. I made your marinara sauce last time and it was tasty.
That sounds like the perfect dinner, Michaela!
I LOVE your recipes!! They have saved this single mom who teaches!! Your chicken stroganoff is one of our favs!!
I’m diabetic, so could I replace the sugar in this sauce with something like Splenda?
Thanks and I’m glad you’re enjoying my recipes, Theresa! I haven’t tried using splenda yet to advice but if you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
Instead of putting sugar in my sauce I grate up a couple of carrots to sweeten the sauce/. They disappear as the sauce simmers or you can put slice carrots for a chunky sauce. This is the way my daughter likes it, I learned this from my mother.
Deeelish. Really tasty. Even my wife , who knows im culinarily challenged ( she’s right, im a lousy cook) liked it. Next time, I’ll add a bit more meat.
I’m so glad you both enjoyed that, David! That’s so great!
It’s not from scratch if you use a jar of sauce …
Hi, try our homemade marinara that I linked in the post above.
This is how I make mine but will try adding cumin and sugar!! I also add an extra cup of water and the pasta and simmer until pasta is done..
Sounds like a good plan, please share with us how it goes if you give that a try!
I use chicken broth instead of water…seems to add more flavour (or maybe it’s in my head!! 🙄) lol 😂
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, June!
Natasha,
First I would use a large can of San Marzzano tomatoes for the sauce instead of jarred marinara sauce and then a good tablespoon of dried Italian spices! And no cumin!!
Hi Mark, thanks for sharing your version and ideas.
I don’t understand why people have to go in and make remarks on how they would change the recipe. It’s her recipe, it’s how she makes it. Leave it at that. If you don’t like it, don’t make it.
You’re right, Mark. Absolutely no cumin!
BUT— have you tried it? Many of Natashas recipes have a surprise ingredient that takes it over the top. I was skeptical about topping our clam chowder with cilantro but it was fabulous.
I liked that there were few ingredients and it was easy to make. The recipe was okay, but I feel like it was missing something.
Thanks for your feedback, what would you suggest to add to make it better?
I added a small can of tomato sauce and it made a huge difference 🙂
I agree. For me it was very bland.
Just perfect. I do it exactly same way only add sometimes (when I have it) some basil and parsley. Also, I never understand why people make meat balls with spaghetti?! They have to dissolve it anyway 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoeyd this recipe!!
Hi Natasha! Quick question? I’m looking to make the recipe tomorrow in a crockpot. I have ground turkey I want to use up. Do you have any suggestions on using the crockpot? Thanks so much!
Hi Tara, I honestly haven’t tried that yet to advise of the timing. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
Mushrooms would be a nice addition.
Great suggestion! Thank you, Nancy!
From the photo of finished sauce appears to have cherry tomato’s in the sauce.
not listed in ingredients ?
Hi Gregg, everything that I used is in the recipe card. I used my homemade Marinara Sauce
Is it ok if I browned the raw ground beef with chopped onion and then I drained the fat before adding the rest of the ingredients?
Hi Holly, yes that would work just fine too. I hope you love this recipe!
First review I have ever made, but it was so simple and good I had to. I was a little skeptical on the cumin, but it really gave the sauce something special! Best ever!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Loved it ! So simple to make and really flavorful. Thank you so much
You’re welcome Naila! I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Absolutely delicious. So simple to make. I find myself going straight to your blog for recipes. Another success. Thank you!
You’re most welcome, Susan. Thank you for trusting and enjoying my recipes!
Hi, can I put this Recipe together in a freezer zip lock bag and pull out later to cook?
Hi Alina, yes this recipe is freezer friendly. Meat sauce will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To store it longer, transfer meat sauce to a freezer-safe container, leaving just a slight amount of headroom at the top. We prefer freezing meat sauce in freezer ziploc bags because it lays flat in the freezer and can be quick-thawed under running water.
hi I don’t understand how to make the sauce… I made quite a few of your recipes and I do good…but this one im having trouble…
Hi Adriana, I recommend you to review the recipe again as the whole process is stated there. What are you exactly having problems with?
HI Natasha!
When you sauté the ground beef, do you add oil to it? Or do you just add the beef to the pan and let it brown?
We do not add oil to the pan.
Great meat sauce! Husband and I loved this one. So simple and easy to make. Served this with homemade garlic bread. Great Sunday meal 🙂
Glad you loved this recipe, thanks for your excellent feedback!
Do you make your own sauce, or just store bought, I always make my own, it takes longer, but so much better
We always try to use our homemade sauce and totally agree – homemade is always better!
I made this for Mother’s Day and it worked great! So easy and delicious
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
So yummy! I make a double batch and freeze for an easy dinner. Easy, love!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
HATS OFF TO YOUR SISTER! I made this tonight and it was delicious !!! I have to say I was sceptical about using cumin but it gave the sauce excellent flavor. I also used some ground sausage along with the Hamburg and used some beef broth in place of the water. Doubled the recipe for freezing 😊
Thank you for your appreciation, Jennifer. Nice to know that you enjoyed your dinner! Thanks for giving this recipe a wonderful review!
Gave this a whirl and it came as advertised. Simple, easy, tasty and filling. It’s a keeper.
Followed it verbatim but added a little veggie to it – peppers. I also used the Victoria White Linen Collection Marinara sauce sold at Costco which is my favourite. Well worth the money!
Thanks to Svetlana!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
We just finished dinner with this spaghetti sauce recipe. My husband is very picky with sauces because he finds them too acidic for his stomach. He gave it a thumbs up tonight. I think it was the addition of a small amount of added sugar. I remembered my Mom telling me that sugar takes away the acidity. I will look forward to future spaghetti dinners!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Hi Natasha, what is the difference between marinara and pasta sauce? I have a large pack of the Kirkland pasta sauces, and trying to figure out if there is something I should add that would make it a proper substitute, I read something about oregano, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. Maybe they are interchangeable in this context? Thank you!
Hi Martha, Marinara and Pasta sauce are used interchangeably and they can vary by the seasonings added. The Kirkland Pasta sauce will work for this recipe. The only time it isn’t the same is if it says “Tomato Sauce” as that would be just tomato sauce and not a pre-made pasta sauce. The Kirkland Pasta Sauce that I have also says “marinara sauce” on the label.
My mother always said a pinch of cinnamon is a necessity in any tomato based pasta sauce. Not sure how it pares with cumin though…
pares? excuse my spelling on this one, couldn’t find an edit button
It is not review for the Recipe, rather how I mismanaged producing it.
Natasha, I didn’t have onion on hand and also used cheap canned low quality tomato pasta sauce. One good thing is I didn’t combine pasta and the meat sauce. My Meat Sauce turned out sooo Sour, that I do not know how to remedy it. Can you please help me with your advice or shall I just throw my meat away ?! Thank you very much in advance.
Hi Elaine, the onion does help balance the flavors and adds a subtle sweetness. Thank you for sharing your experience using a poor quality sauce – I try to find the best quality one that I can if I am not using homemade. You would probably love our sauce form Spaghetti and meatballs which is homemade. At this point, probably the best course of action would be to add a little water and a little sugar to balance out the sour notes.
Is it too late to add separately caramelized onions to that meat sauce ?
Thank you very much, Natasha.
You are welcome to add it by preference but it may not infuse as much flavor as cooking into the sauce form the start.
First time I have ever left a review. It’s that good.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!
Made this recipe for dinner and it was great. I added some chopped celery to it and it turned out awesome. So cheap and easy to make! Next time I will double the recipe!!
That’s so great, Sarah! Thank you for that awesome feedback!
I can’t imagine why the 1/2 tsp. of cumin…Italians do not use cumin, especially in their spaghetti sauce….now, if this was chili mac!
Hi Patricia, it’s my sister’s own little twist on the meat sauce and I hope you give it a try. It’s quite good!
This looks amazing. I woukd like to start using a Dutch Oven to make sauce as shown in your photos. Do You recommend heating olive oil in the Dutch Oven before putting in the meat? Can’t wait to make it! I really enjoy your recipes and videos. Keep up the great work to helping moms look like super stars in the kitchen! Vicki
Hi Vicki, the meat has enough fat that it releases and doesn’t require extra but you can add it if you prefer to add a little more or if you are using very lean ground beef.
I’ve made this and I usually add a step using an immersion blender for a few minutes after it is cooked. That turns it into a very smooth meat sauce that can be used on pizzas and lasagne. I also use it with fresh made pork/beef meatballs, often with sliced mushrooms.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! & thank you for sharing that with us!
Hey Natasha do you have an easy beef stew recipe served with rice please
Hi Agness, we have this aweomse beef stew recipe here. This stew is more of a stew soup so I think it would go perectly over some rice!
Quick question – do you drain the ground beef after browning it, or does using 15% fat ground beef make that step unnecessary? Can’t wait to make this!
Hi Ellen! We did not need to drain the meat.
Gidday Natasha, I enjoy your cooking blog. Rather than adding a jar of commercial sauce to make the spaghetti sauce’s easy to create your own. After cooking the mince ( i use pork mince) sautee the onion and garlic in olive oil and add some chopped celery and grated carrot. Grated zucchini is good too.Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, plus some milk and two anchovies. Let this simmer a while and add seasoningThis is a tasty meat sauce and very healthy.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I have long made a version of this type sauce and I add some ground or chopped mild Italian sausage for greater flavor.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Here’s the thing; if you can make a great italian style meat sauce, you can use it as a starter for about anything italian you wish to make. Use it to make lasagna, skillet lasagna with bow tie pasta, spaghetti, actually any pasta dish requiring a meat sauce will do. Let’s call it a nice frozen quick supper week-night shortcut. Thanks, Natasha.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Thomas!
Hi Thomas, this definitely is a shortcut which is always great on busy weeknights :).
Is Sam’s choice sauce you have in the picture better than Prego traditional sauce ?
Hi Leslie, honestly we loved them equally in flavor but the Sam’s choice one does seem to have a better list of ingredients (i.e. olive oil instead of canola oil). If you have a favorite marinara sauce, try that! It works with a variety of different brands. I hope you love the meat sauce! 🙂
I am going to make this, because it sounds so yummy. BUT….I have to ask you: 3 minutes prep time???? In what universe? Prep times in ALL online recipes are noted as crazily short, but 3 minutes is just silly. How about giving a prep time where nothing is already trimmed, washed, or chopped? Now, THAT would be realistic!
Hi Barb, the only thing that needs to be “prepped” here is to chop and onion and mince garlic and 3 minutes seemed reasonable for that. The rest of the recipe is done over the stove and is counted into the cooking time. Hope that helps!
I have made a similar recipe for years and love it. It also calls for browning the meat before adding the onions, which strikes me as odd. Wouldn’t it be better to slightly carmelize the onions first? Maybe you could enlighten me as to why it is done this way.
Hi Russ, it isn’t necessary in this recipe because the sauce simmers for awhile afterwards and the onions pretty much disappear into the sauce.
Did you add small tomatoes to the sauce? I didn’t see them listed in the ingredients, but they are in the sauce.
Hi Susan! Those were actually apart of the marinara pasta sauce!
Love how easy this is and how delicious it is!! Nothing better then a good meat sauce recipe that everyone loves.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Becky!
Hallo Natasha,
It is absolutely the best spaghetti meat sauce recipe ever. I made it and it was really a hit. We all loved this recipe. It is very easy, simple and super tasty. The cumin gives a very apart flavor that you really love it..I will keep this recipe forever. I really enjoy and love to follow your vlog. I am so happy that i saw your website.
So wonderful to hear that, Roselyn. Thank you so much for sharing your great experience with us!
Can you add cream at the end?
Hi Julie, I haven’t added that myself to advise. If you’re looking to make it more like a creamy sauce and adding that, I’d love to know how you like that.
Best pasta night dinner! I love this sauce!
That’s so awesome, Rachael! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
Awesome recipe like always. I made it last night but I didn’t have beef so I used ground chicken it was yummy too. My kids loved it. Thanks for ur hard work!
I’m so happy you all enjoyed that! Thank you for that awesome review!
We loved this, it was so easy and tasty and my kids adored this, absolutely a keeper!
Sounds like you found a new family favorite! I’m so happy you all enjoyed that, Alli!
My family would LOVE this!! It looks SO good!!
It is so perfect for a family dinner! Thank you for that great review, Katerina!
Saw this pop up on my Instagram today and made it the same night. So easy and delicious! My husband had seconds, then thirds. Your recipes consistently come out so successfully, I never have to worry about having a backup plan when getting dinner on the table.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Michelle 🙂
The whole family loved this!
Hi Suzy, I am so happy to hear that!! Thank you for the awesome review!
Looks so amazing! Would u b able to make a freezer friendly category! I’m going back to work would b sooo helpful to know exact which ones I could make ahead! Love your site!
Thank you for that suggestion, Lena!