Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

A certified classic weeknight meal

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 28-35 minutes
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for the pasta water
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 pound dried spaghetti
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions:

1. Finely chop yellow onion and mince garlic cloves. Heat olive oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Add the onion, garlic, ground beef, salt, dried oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
3. Cook, breaking the beef up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the beef is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Carefully pour in crushed tomatoes and season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer uncovered until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add dried spaghetti and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions for al dente, about 9 minutes.
7. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the spaghetti.
8. Return the pasta to the pot. Add the sauce, reserved pasta cooking water, and balsamic vinegar, and toss to combine.
9. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, tossing continuously, until the sauce coats the pasta and everything is evenly combined, 1 to 2 minutes.
10. Serve in bowls topped with lots of grated Parmesan cheese.