Use your favorite jarred sauce to make an easy, flavorful spaghetti meat sauce in no time. A couple of unconventional spices in the seasoning mix give this sauce a distinctive, memorable taste your guests will ask about.
This easy spaghetti meat sauce is packed with vegetables, lean ground beef, tomato sauce and a blend of classic and warm spices. What sets this version apart are the additions of ground cumin and ground coriander to the usual oregano and basil—they add depth and a subtle warmth that lifts the flavor.
Making Meat Sauce with Jar Sauce
Using a high-quality jarred tomato pasta sauce is a practical shortcut that reduces cooking time while still delivering great flavor. I prefer an organic tomato-and-basil sauce rather than plain tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes—this gives the meat sauce a richer base. When choosing a jarred sauce, check sodium and sugar levels, as these vary by brand. If you use plain tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, plan to add extra seasoning to compensate.
Alongside oregano, basil and bay leaves I add ground cumin and ground coriander (the dried seed of cilantro). Those two spices add a warm, slightly nutty and aromatic layer that makes the sauce stand out. Once you make the sauce a few times, you can easily adjust the spice amounts to suit your taste.
How to Make It
I like to fill the sauce with aromatic vegetables: onion, garlic, carrot and celery. I also add sweet pepper and mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
Steps Overview
Start by prepping all the vegetables. If you have a food processor, chunk them and pulse to your preferred consistency—finer for picky eaters. Work in batches so you don’t overload the processor.
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the ground beef and break it up, cooking until no longer pink.
Stir in the tomato sauce and all seasonings, lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning after the initial simmer. If you have more time, reduce to very low heat and simmer for up to two hours, stirring occasionally. If too much liquid evaporates, add tomato juice or water and recheck seasonings before serving.
This recipe makes a large batch, which is convenient to portion and freeze for busy nights. If you prefer a smaller yield, the recipe can easily be halved.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the meat sauce over your favorite pasta. Finish with chopped fresh parsley or basil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!
More Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
- Shrimp Spinach Goat Cheese Penne
- Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Tomato Orzo Soup
Easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
Fida | Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
20 mins
2 hrs
2 hrs 20 mins
Main Course
Italian
16-20 servings
130kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 3 large garlic cloves
- 2 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 1 sweet pepper (red or green)
- 227 grams fresh mushrooms (one package)
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 6 cups premade pasta sauce (your favorite brand)
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes (more to taste)
Instructions
- Wash vegetables and peel garlic, onion and carrots.
- Cut vegetables into chunks suitable for your food processor.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Start by processing onion and garlic. Add them to the pan and stir.
- Process remaining vegetables and add them to the pan in batches. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 10 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Sauté and break up the meat until no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and all seasonings. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer.
- After about 30 minutes of simmering, taste and adjust seasonings.
- If desired, reduce heat to low and simmer up to two hours, stirring occasionally. Add tomato juice or water if it becomes too thick.
- Before serving, taste again, remove bay leaves, and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve over cooked pasta, garnished with chopped parsley or basil and freshly grated Parmesan if you like.
Notes
- Depending on the tomato sauce you use—store-bought pasta sauce, crushed tomatoes, or plain tomato sauce—you may need to adjust the seasonings. Add spices gradually and taste often.
- If using plain tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, be sure to season with oregano, basil, salt and pepper and consider adding a pinch of sugar to balance acidity.
Nutrition
Bolognese, Easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce, Meat Sauce, Spaghetti Sauce