Description
Old School Spaghetti is a hearty, classic dish featuring a rich, slow-cooked tomato sauce infused with basil, rosemary, and garlic. This easy-to-make recipe pairs perfectly with spaghetti noodles for a comforting meal your family will love.
Ingredients
- 2–3 pounds lean ground beef or ground chuck
- 12 oz. can tomato paste
- 2 cups warm water
- 1½ tablespoons basil
- 1½ tablespoons rosemary
- 1 heaping teaspoon garlic powder
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- Pinch of red cayenne pepper
- 6 oz. jar of sliced mushrooms, drained
- 3 bay leaves (remove after cooking)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Transfer beef to a 5–6 quart slow cooker.
- Add tomato paste and warm water; stir to combine.
- Mix in basil, rosemary, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Fold in the drained mushrooms.
- Place bay leaves on top of the sauce. Spoon some sauce over the bay leaves.
- Cover and cook:
- On low: 7–9 hours
- On high: 3–4 hours
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Serve over freshly cooked spaghetti noodles.
Notes
- For extra depth, add a splash of red wine while browning the beef.
- Substitute ground beef with plant-based meat or turkey for variations.
- Enhance nutrition by adding vegetables like chopped onions, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7–9 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
