Here’s a classic old-school spaghetti recipe:
### Ingredients:
**For the Sauce:**
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
– 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
– 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
– 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
– 1/2 cup water
– 2 teaspoons sugar
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
– 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
– Salt and black pepper to taste
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
**For the Pasta:**
– 1 pound spaghetti
– Salt for the pasta water
– Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
### Instructions:
1. **Prepare the Sauce:**
– In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
– Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
– Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, being careful not to let it burn.
– Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. **Add the Tomatoes and Seasonings:**
– Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
– Add the sugar, dried basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
– Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the better the flavors will develop. You can let it simmer for up to 2 hours if you have the time.
3. **Cook the Spaghetti:**
– While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
– Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, but do not rinse.
4. **Combine and Serve:**
– Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley if using.
– Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
– Serve immediately with additional grated Parmesan cheese on the side.
Enjoy your classic old-school spaghetti!