Here’s a true old-school spaghetti recipe — simple, hearty, and made only with ground beef (no sausage, no fancy stuff) 🍝
🍝 Old-School Spaghetti (Ground Beef Only)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water (or beef broth)
- 1–2 teaspoons sugar (optional, old-school balance)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- Optional: bay leaf, grated Parmesan
Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the beef
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat
- Add ground beef and chopped onion
- Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft
- Drain excess grease if needed
2️⃣ Add garlic & seasoning
- Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds
- Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil
- Optional: add bay leaf
3️⃣ Make the sauce
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water
- Add sugar if using (very old-school touch)
- Bring to a gentle simmer
4️⃣ Simmer
- Cover loosely and simmer 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Taste and adjust seasoning
5️⃣ Cook spaghetti
- Boil noodles in salted water until al dente
- Drain and serve topped with meat sauce
🧂 Old-School Tips
- Don’t rush the simmer — flavor builds over time
- A little sugar balances acidity (grandma trick)
- Serve with buttered bread, not garlic bread (classic)
If you want, I can also give you:
- 1950s diner-style spaghetti
- Crockpot old-school spaghetti
- Spaghetti just like school lunch or church dinners
- Spaghetti with tomato juice instead of water (very old-school)
Just tell me 🍝
