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Easy Dump and Simmer Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe with 5 Simple Ingredients

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A quick and easy spaghetti meat sauce made with just five simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights. This hearty sauce simmers slowly to develop rich, comforting flavors with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 24 oz jarred marinara sauce
  • 1 medium diced onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (or 1 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano)
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
  • Optional: Parmesan cheese for serving
  • Optional: fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Finely chop one medium onion and mince three garlic cloves. Measure out Italian seasoning and have marinara sauce ready.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 7 minutes. Stir occasionally for even browning. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Push browned beef to one side of the pan. Add a splash of olive oil if pan looks dry. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Pour in entire jar of marinara sauce. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the top. Stir to combine.
  5. Reduce heat to low and let sauce simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking.
  6. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes if desired.
  7. Serve sauce over cooked spaghetti. Top with grated Parmesan cheese or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Do not rush the simmering step; slow simmering develops deeper flavors. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen. Drain excess fat after browning meat to avoid oily sauce. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Partially cover pan with lid to retain moisture but avoid boiling over.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti meat sauce, easy spaghetti sauce, dump and simmer sauce, quick meat sauce, simple spaghetti sauce, weeknight dinner, 5 ingredient sauce

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