This spaghetti dish features a deliciously rich meat sauce made with red wine, garlic, and herbs. It’s hearty and perfect for dinner with family or friends!
There’s something satisfying about twirling that pasta around your fork and savoring the deep flavors. Just be careful, that sauce might make you want seconds! 🍝
I love to serve this with a sprinkle of cheese on top. It’s super easy to make and always impresses my guests. Who knew pasta night could feel so fancy?!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Spaghetti: The classic choice for this dish is spaghetti. However, you can swap it out for other pasta types like fettuccine, linguine, or even whole wheat spaghetti for a healthier option.
Red Wine: A dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot works best for depth of flavor. If you don’t have wine on hand, you can use beef broth with a splash of vinegar as a substitute.
Ground Beef: Ground beef is traditional, but you can also use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Mixing different meats, like pork or veal, can add extra flavor and richness.
Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley adds brightness at the end, but feel free to use other herbs like basil or even cilantro. If fresh isn’t available, use dried herbs but adjust the amount since dried is more concentrated.
How Do I Get the Right Flavor Balance in the Meat Sauce?
Getting a rich and balanced flavor in your meat sauce is crucial. Here are some techniques to enhance the taste:
- When cooking the onions, make sure they’re soft and starting to caramelize. This sweetness is a great base for the sauce.
- Add garlic just until fragrant—don’t let it burn or it will become bitter.
- Deglazing with red wine not only adds flavor but also lifts any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, which is full of flavor.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for at least 20 minutes to meld all the flavors together. The longer it simmers, the richer it will taste.
Don’t forget to taste and adjust seasoning near the end. A little salt and freshly ground pepper can really elevate the sauce!
Spaghetti with Rich Red Wine Meat Sauce
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 cup dry red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
- 1 can (14 oz/400g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious spaghetti dish will take around 15 minutes to prepare and about 30 to 40 minutes to cook. So, plan for about an hour total. It’s a great option for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cooking the Spaghetti:
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook it according to the package instructions until it’s al dente (cooked but still firm). Once ready, drain the spaghetti in a colander and set it aside.
2. Preparing the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is nice and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, just until it’s fragrant.
3. Browning the Meat:
Add the ground beef (or beef and pork mixture) to the pan. Use a spoon to break it up, and let it cook for about 6-8 minutes, until it’s browned and fully cooked through. If there’s a lot of excess fat, feel free to drain it from the pan at this point.
4. Adding the Wine:
Now pour in the red wine, stirring well as you scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the wine to simmer for 3-5 minutes, which helps to reduce it slightly.
5. Mixing in the Tomatoes and Spices:
Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Season everything generously with salt and black pepper. Give it a good stir to mix all the ingredients together!
6. Letting the Sauce Simmer:
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce gently simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken beautifully.
7. Final Touches:
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, carefully remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
8. Serving Your Spaghetti:
Now it’s time to bring it all together! You can either toss the cooked spaghetti with the rich meat sauce in the skillet or serve the sauce ladled over the pasta on individual plates.
9. Garnish and Enjoy!
Top your delicious spaghetti with chopped fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, hearty flavors of your spaghetti with red wine meat sauce!
FAQ
Can I Use a Different Type of Pasta?
Absolutely! While spaghetti is the classic choice, feel free to use any pasta you like—such as fettuccine, penne, or even whole wheat pasta—for a healthier option.
What If I Don’t Have Red Wine?
No worries! You can substitute red wine with beef broth and a splash of vinegar for acidity. This will still give you a rich flavor without the wine.
How Can I Store Leftover Sauce?
Store any leftover meat sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months! Just thaw before reheating.
Can I Make This Sauce Vegetarian?
Yes! You can replace the ground beef with lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based meat alternatives. Just make sure to adjust seasoning and cook time accordingly to achieve the desired texture.
