Easy Beef Spaghetti with Parmesan and Herbs
This easy beef spaghetti combines tender ground beef, pasta, savoury tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs for a comforting Italian-inspired family dinner.
Easy Beef Spaghetti with Parmesan and Herbs is a comforting family favourite made with savoury ground beef, tender spaghetti, and a rich tomato sauce. Fresh herbs and grated Parmesan add delicious flavour, while the sauce coats the pasta beautifully. I especially like how simple ingredients come together to make such a satisfying meal. It’s a hearty, Italian-inspired dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed family gatherings.
Classic Beef Spaghetti with Parmesan and Fresh Herbs
This easy beef spaghetti combines savoury ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich tomato sauce finished with Parmesan cheese and aromatic herbs. The sauce clings beautifully to the spaghetti, creating a hearty, comforting meal with familiar Italian-inspired flavours the whole family can enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Beef Spaghetti
There’s something satisfying about a good homemade spaghetti dinner. I especially like how the ground beef adds richness to the tomato sauce, while the Parmesan brings a lovely salty finish. Letting the sauce simmer gently helps the flavours develop. Simple ingredients, but they work so well together.
An Easy Spaghetti Dinner for Busy Weeknights
This ground beef spaghetti recipe is perfect for family dinners, relaxed weekends, or evenings when you’re craving classic comfort food. Serve it with garlic bread or a fresh green salad, and finish with a little extra Parmesan. Leftovers are lovely the next day, too, once the flavours have had time to settle.
How to Make Homemade Beef Spaghetti
Simmering a Rich Tomato and Ground Beef Spaghetti Sauce
The secret to a flavourful homemade beef spaghetti sauce is giving the ground beef, onions, and tomatoes time to simmer together. I like to break the beef into small pieces so it blends evenly with the sauce, while the onions soften and add a little natural sweetness. Let the tomato sauce simmer gently until it thickens and the flavours come together. This creates a rich, savoury meat sauce that coats the spaghetti beautifully without being too watery.
Cooking Spaghetti Al Dente for Homemade Beef Pasta
For this easy beef spaghetti with Parmesan and herbs, I like to cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente. The pasta should be tender but still have a slight bite, especially since it will continue to soften when combined with the warm meat sauce. Before draining, save a little starchy pasta water. A small splash helps the rich tomato and ground beef sauce cling beautifully to the spaghetti without becoming too thick.
My Kitchen Tip: Rich, Flavourful Beef Spaghetti Sauce
One thing I find makes a difference with homemade beef spaghetti is letting the tomato and ground beef sauce simmer gently while the pasta cooks. This gives the onions and herbs time to release their flavour and helps the sauce thicken naturally. I also save a little starchy pasta water before draining. Adding a splash when tossing the spaghetti with the meat sauce helps everything come together beautifully. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan for a lovely savoury touch.
Easy Beef Spaghetti with Parmesan and Herbs
Equipment
- Large pot (for cooking spaghetti)
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander
- Cutting board
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater
- Pasta tongs or serving spoon
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti 340 g
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb beef ground – also consider pork, turkey or chicken
- 1 onion medium and diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 650 mL tomato sauce
- ½ cup reserved pasta water as needed
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
- Fresh basil oregano or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Brown the meat: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until nicely browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add the onion and seasonings: Add the diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 30 seconds.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the jarred pasta sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water and stir well, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the butter and Parmesan. Add a little more pasta water if the sauce seems too thick. Taste and season with salt and black pepper.
- Serve: Spoon the rich ground meat sauce over the spaghetti, or toss everything together in the skillet. Finish with plenty of shaved or grated Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a rich and hearty beef spaghetti without too much excess grease. Drain the skillet after browning if needed.
- Brown the ground beef well before adding the sauce. Those caramelized bits add deeper flavour to this easy ground beef spaghetti recipe.
- A good-quality jarred marinara or tomato basil sauce keeps this quick beef pasta dinner simple while still giving it plenty of flavour.
- Let the beef and tomato sauce simmer for at least 10 minutes. Even a short simmer helps the onions soften and the Italian herbs blend into the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining the spaghetti. A small splash helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling better to the noodles.
- Cook the spaghetti until al dente so it stays firm and does not become too soft under the hearty ground beef sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan gives the best flavour and melts smoothly into the hot spaghetti. Add extra Parmesan just before serving.
- Italian seasoning, oregano, basil or parsley can all be used in this easy weeknight pasta recipe. Use what you already have.
- Add red pepper flakes for a little heat, or leave them out for a mild and family-friendly beef spaghetti dinner.
- Leftover beef spaghetti can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheats well for lunch or another quick dinner.