This easy spaghetti recipe with meat sauce is a 30-minute family favorite made with ground beef and jarred marinara. A few simple add-ins make the sauce taste homemade, and it’s always a hit with kids!

You can also try my homemade spaghetti sauce or this cozy million dollar spaghetti.

An easy spaghetti recipe with meat sauce in a white bowl ready to serve.

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Key Takeaways: Easy Spaghetti Recipe

  • 30-minute dinner: This easy spaghetti recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Easy homemade flavor: Ground beef, onion, garlic and seasonings make jarred spaghetti sauce taste so much better.
  • Family favorite: It’s simple, comforting and always a hit with both kids and adults.

Why I Love This Recipe

This is the spaghetti recipe my family comes back to over and over again. It uses jarred marinara sauce dressed up with ground beef, onions, garlic, and a few simple seasonings so it tastes homemade without the effort. It’s ready in 30 minutes making it perfect for busy weeknights!

We serve it with a chopped salad recipe and garlic bread for an amazing, yet classic weeknight spaghetti dinner.

XO - Jamielyn

Recipe Ingredients

This easy spaghetti recipe uses simple pantry staples plus a few fresh ingredients to make jarred sauce taste homemade.

Spaghetti ingredients on marble counter.

Find the full printable recipe with directions below.

  • Olive oil, onion and garlic: Sautéing the onion and garlic first builds a flavorful base for the meat sauce.
  • Ground beef: I typically use ground beef, but Italian sausage is a delicious substitute if you want even more flavor.
  • Seasonings: Italian seasoning, kosher salt and black pepper add plenty of flavor without complicating the sauce.
  • Marinara sauce: Use your favorite 24-ounce jar of marinara or spaghetti sauce. I love Prego, but any brand works well. You can also use homemade marinara sauce.
  • Diced tomatoes: Petite diced tomatoes make the sauce a little chunkier and heartier, but they’re completely optional.
  • Spaghetti: Classic spaghetti noodles are my go-to, although another long pasta or your favorite noodle shape will work.

How to Make an Easy Spaghetti Recipe

Browned ground beef and onions in a skillet for spaghetti meat sauce.

Step 1: Start by sautéing the onion in olive oil until softened, then add the garlic for the last minute. Stir in the ground beef and seasonings and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease if needed.

Spaghetti meat sauce simmering in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Pour in the marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, then let the meat sauce simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. This gives all those extra flavors time to blend into the jarred sauce.

Spaghetti noodles boiling in a pot of water.

Step 3: While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve a little pasta water in case you want to thin the sauce.

Spaghetti topped with homemade meat sauce, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Spoon the warm meat sauce over the spaghetti and finish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan, if desired.

Spaghetti Sauce Variations

  • For a thinner sauce, add in 1/2 cup of the pasta water before simmering.
  • Veggies. Add in vegetables when sauteing the onion, such as mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers.
  • Meat. Swap out the ground beef to make Italian sausage pasta or make pasta sauce with ground turkey or use both like I do in this meaty spaghetti bolognese sauce.
  • Cheese. Try topping it with fresh mozzarella for a real treat.
  • Herbs. Fresh basil or oregano add a pop of fresh flavor to the spaghetti recipe.
Meat sauce simmering in a large skillet for an easy spaghetti dinner.

Recipe Tips

  • Cook the pasta al dente: The spaghetti will soften a little more once it’s topped with the hot meat sauce, so avoid overcooking the noodles. Use my how to cook pasta as a reference guide!
  • Save some pasta water: Before draining the spaghetti, reserve about 1/2 cup. Stir a little into the sauce if you want to thin it out or help it cling to the noodles.
  • Let the sauce simmer: Even 15 minutes makes a difference. It gives the ground beef, garlic, onion and seasonings time to flavor the jarred marinara.
  • Use up leftovers: Turn leftover spaghetti into spaghetti boats with garlic bread and mozzarella. You can also make a spaghetti casserole or use leftover meat sauce for these Italian-style sloppy joes.
Easy spaghetti recipe with meat sauce in a white bowl.

Spaghetti Sauce FAQs

How can I make jarred spaghetti sauce taste better?

Sautéing onion and garlic first makes a big difference. I also add ground beef, Italian seasoning and diced tomatoes, then let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes so all the flavors come together.

Can I make this spaghetti ahead of time?

Yes. Make the meat sauce up to 3 days ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce on the stovetop and cook the spaghetti fresh.

Can I make this spaghetti as a freezer meal?

Absolutely. Prepare the meat sauce, let it cool completely, then freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat on the stovetop and serve with freshly cooked spaghetti.

What other pasta can I use instead of spaghetti?

Linguine, fettuccine, bucatini or even shorter pasta like penne or rigatoni will all work. Use whatever pasta you have on hand.

Spaghetti twirled in a fork.

More easy pasta sauces to try include this pink sauce pasta or this white sauce pasta!

More Easy Pasta Recipes

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Spaghetti twirled in a fork.

Easy Spaghetti Recipe

5 from 56 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
This easy spaghetti recipe is made with ground beef, jarred marinara, garlic, onion and simple seasonings for a flavorful 30-minute family dinner.
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Ingredients 

  • ½ Tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ onion , minced
  • 2-4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 pound ground beef , or Italian sausage
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt , more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper , or red pepper flakes
  • 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
  • 1 (14-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes , drained (optional)
  • 1 (16-ounce) box spaghetti noodles

Option toppings: Fresh basil and Grated parmesan

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Stir in ground beef, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until meat is browned. Drain any excess grease.
  • Stir in spaghetti sauce and diced tomatoes. Simmer uncovered 15 minutes. Season to taste.
  • Boil spaghetti according to package instructions while sauce is simmering. Drain, reserving 1 cup to add to the sauce if too thick.
  • Spoon sauce over noodles while hot and top with fresh basil and parmesan cheese, if desired, to serve.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Sauce: You can also use a homemade spaghetti sauce if you prefer.
Variations: Add in vegetables when sauteing the onion, such as mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers.
Thinner sauce: Add in 1/2 cup of the pasta water before simmering.
Freeze: Let cool completely, then add sauce to a freezer bag. Label with the date, then store in freezer for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Let thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove until warm. Serve over spaghetti noodles and add cheese if desired!

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcal, Carbohydrates: 66g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 1075mg, Potassium: 892mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 570IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 67mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.