Spaghetti with Meat and Sausage Sauce

Name: Spaghetti with Meat and Sausage Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 small onion, diced; 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp brown sugar; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp parsley flakes; 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce; 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste; 1 cup water; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1/4 lb smoked sausage, sliced; 8 oz thin spaghetti; 4 cups water (for pasta); 1 tsp salt (for pasta water)

This spaghetti features a rich, savory meat sauce built from ground beef and smoked sausage simmered with tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. The blend of brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and parsley creates depth and warmth in every bite.

🌍American 🏷️Spaghetti 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Meat sauce 🏷️Ground beef Sausage

🏷️

🏷️Weeknight dinner

-0:00

natural.beauty54onTikTok

Total

1h 20m

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by natural.beauty54

-0:00

natural.beauty54onTikTok

Ingredients

1 small onion, diced
1 lb ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 cup water
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 lb smoked sausage, sliced
8 oz thin spaghetti
4 cups water (for pasta)
1 tsp salt (for pasta water)

16 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large pot, brown the ground beef. When it's almost cooked through, add the diced onion and continue to cook until the beef is fully browned.
2
Drain the excess fat from the pot and return the beef and onions to the heat.
3
Add the salt, brown sugar, black pepper, parsley flakes, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pot.
4
Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and 1 cup of water.
5
Stir everything together to combine. Add the minced garlic and sliced sausage, and stir again.
6
Bring the sauce to a low boil, then cover the pot, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
7
While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta. In a separate pot, bring 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil.
8
Add the thin spaghetti to the boiling water and stir immediately to prevent sticking.
9
Cook the pasta for 8-9 minutes, or according to package directions, stirring occasionally. Drain when finished.
10
Serve the spaghetti topped with the meat and sausage sauce.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Dice the onion finely so it softens completely and distributes evenly throughout the sauce rather than remaining in chunks.
Brown the ground beef and sausage thoroughly before adding tomato products to develop rich, savory flavor and prevent a watery sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning at the end; red pepper flakes can be added gradually to control heat level without overpowering the dish.
Simmer uncovered on medium-low heat to allow excess moisture to evaporate, thickening the sauce naturally without burning the bottom.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground pork or ground turkey (use 1.5 lbs to compensate for leaner meat)
Smoked sausage → Italian sausage or andouille sausage (adjust salt slightly if using spicy varieties)
Tomato paste → additional tomato sauce (use 1/2 cup more sauce and simmer longer to reduce)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed.

Common Questions

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes. The sauce tastes better the next day as flavors meld. Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat.

What type of sausage works best?

Smoked sausage (Italian or kielbasa style) is traditional here. Remove from casing and brown it with the ground beef for even distribution in the sauce.

Should I brown the sausage separately?

You can brown ground beef and sausage together in the same pot to save time and blend flavors. Cook until no pink remains, then add onions and remaining ingredients.

How long should the sauce simmer?

Simmer at least 15–20 minutes to allow tomato flavors and spices to develop. Longer simmering (30–45 minutes) deepens the sauce without burning it.

Can I scale this recipe?

Yes. Double or halve all ingredients proportionally. Adjust simmering time slightly if cooking a much larger batch; stir occasionally to prevent sticking.