The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Prego Sauce

Spaghetti with meat sauce is a classic, hearty, and comforting dish that never goes out of style. When made right, it hits all the notes – savory, sweet, tangy, and ultra-satisfying. But there are a few key steps to transforming basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy pasta masterpiece. Follow this complete guide to learn how to make spaghetti with ground beef and Prego sauce that will have your family and friends begging for seconds.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start cooking, you’ll need to gather all of the ingredients that go into this flavor-packed dish. Here’s what you’ll need

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for added heat)
• 1 (24 ounce) jar Prego Traditional Italian Sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti noodles
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Getting organized with measured out ingredients will make the cooking process smoother. You’ll also want to bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

Start by cooking the ground beef over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Break it up into small crumbles as it cooks using a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is completely browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Once cooked use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a plate leaving the fat behind in the pan. This will help keep your sauce from being too greasy.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan you cooked the beef in Next, add the diced onion and minced garlic Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.

Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. The onion and garlic will add a deep, rich flavor base.

Step 4: Simmer the Sauce

Add the cooked ground beef back to the pan along with the entire jar of Prego sauce. You’ll also add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using).

Let this come up to a simmer and then reduce heat to medium-low. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10-15 minutes so all of the ingredients can meld together.

Taste and season with more salt, pepper, or Italian herbs if needed.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

While the sauce is simmering, add the spaghetti to the boiling water. Cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well.

Step 6: Put It All Together

Add the hot cooked pasta right into the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together so the pasta gets fully coated in the meaty, tomatoey goodness.

Serve family-style straight from the pan or dish up individual portions. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for some freshness. Buon appetito!

Customize It!

One of the great things about this basic recipe is all of the possibilities for customizing based on your tastes or what you have on hand. Get creative with these ideas:

• Use half ground beef and half Italian sausage
• Sauté mushrooms, peppers, or spinach to add more veggies
• Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar for depth of flavor
• Swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option
• Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta
• Top with mozzarella cheese instead of Parmesan
• Make it extra saucy by adding a drained can of diced tomatoes

The options are endless for remixing this classic.

Cooking Tips for Success

Taking the time to follow some key tips will ensure your spaghetti with meat sauce comes out perfect every time.

• Use lean ground beef and drain excess fat during cooking for a healthier sauce.
• Cook the pasta al dente; don’t let it get mushy.
• Let the sauce simmer so the flavors develop fully.
• Save a bit of the starchy pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed.
• Toss the pasta with the sauce while everything is piping hot.
• Season in stages with salt, pepper, and herbs until the flavors pop.
• Add freshly grated cheese just before serving so it doesn’t get dried out.

Can I Make it Ahead of Time?

One of the bonuses of this recipe is that the meat sauce can be made 1-2 days in advance. Simply prepare the sauce through step 4. Let it cool completely then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. When it’s pasta night, reheat the sauce gently over medium-low heat while you cook the spaghetti.

The cooked pasta and sauce can also be portioned out and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Fun Ideas for Leftovers

Like many pasta dishes, this recipe for spaghetti with meat sauce usually leaves you with some delicious leftovers. Luckily, there are all kinds of creative ways to reinvent them:

• Pile leftovers into a baked pasta dish like lasagna or ziti
• Stuff into bell peppers and top with cheese for Mexican-style stuffed peppers
• Top with an egg for a hearty breakfast skillet
• Use as a pizza sauce topped with cheese and veggies on a crust
• Simmer with chicken broth and beans for an Italian-inspired soup
• Toss with roasted veggies as a meaty and satisfying salad

With endless possibilities for sprucing them up, leftovers are a bonus rather than a chore!

Watch the cooking video tutorial

For a helpful visual guide, watch this excellent video tutorial from YouTube that walks through the entire process of making spaghetti with meat sauce step-by-step.

Seeing each component come together on video can give you more confidence to tackle this Italian classic at home. You’ll pick up helpful tips for browning ground beef, simmering the sauce to perfection, and tossing the pasta like a pro.

Enjoy Restaurant Worthy Results at Home

Now you’re fully