Spaghetti with Ground Beef

This Spaghetti with Ground Beef is a hearty, comforting dinner made with tender pasta, seasoned beef, tomatoes, and a rich savory sauce. It’s an easy ground beef pasta recipe that works perfectly for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
12 oz spaghetti
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup reserved pasta water, if needed
Grated Parmesan, optional for serving

How to Make Spaghetti with Ground Beef

1. Cook the spaghetti in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving a little pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add the ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it into crumbles.
3. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10–12 minutes until the meat sauce thickens.
5. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss until evenly coated. Stir in a splash of reserved pasta water if you prefer a looser sauce.
6. Serve hot with grated Parmesan and extra black pepper if desired.

Serving & Storage

Serve this homemade beef spaghetti with garlic bread or a simple green salad. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days and reheat gently until hot.

Recipe Tip

Let the ground beef brown well before adding the tomatoes. Those caramelized bits add deeper, richer flavor to the spaghetti sauce.