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Easy School Cafeteria Spaghetti & Meat Sauce photo

School Cafeteria Spaghetti & Meat Sauce

A classic, hearty cafeteria-style spaghetti with a simple, savory meat sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2.75 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 tbsp dried minced onion
  • 1.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 28-oz can whole tomatoes undrained
  • 1.5 6-oz cans tomato paste
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 tsp dried basil
  • 4 tsp dried oregano
  • 2.5 tsp dried marjoram
  • 1.5 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 lb spaghetti cooked

Equipment

  • 12-inch Non-Stick Skillet
  • meat masher or spatula
  • Can opener

Method
 

  1. Heat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes.
  2. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
  3. Return the beef to the skillet and stir in the dried minced onion, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
  4. Add the undrained whole tomatoes, tomato paste, and water to the skillet. Break up the whole tomatoes with a spoon or your hands as you add them.
  5. Stir in the dried basil, oregano, marjoram, and thyme until evenly combined.
  6. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld.
  7. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss gently to coat the pasta in the sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Ground turkey or Italian sausage can replace ground beef.
  • Use this sauce with any pasta you have on hand.
  • If you don't have marjoram, substitute oregano.
  • Crush whole tomatoes by hand or break them with a spoon when adding.
  • To convert fresh herbs to dried, use 1 tbsp fresh = 1 tsp dried.
  • 1½ cans (6‑oz each) of tomato paste equals about 9 oz total.