Recipe Background
Sunday Spaghetti is perfect for life's transitions, comforting and easy to prepare.
The first time I made this Sunday Spaghetti was the day after my first child headed to college. It felt like I had too much time and too much space. My husband and I shuffled into the kitchen, and instinctively, I reached for a comforting, familiar routine. Browning ground beef and hearing the sizzle of chopped onion and garlic offered a sense of normalcy in an oddly quiet home. I took my time dicing the green bell pepper, relishing the vibrant burst of color it brought.
As the sauce simmered away, the air filled with the warm scent of tomatoes, basil, and oregano. I stirred occasionally, letting the rhythm calm the ache of transition. A key tip from experience—drain the grease well to highlight the sauce's richness without compromise. We twirled pasta onto our plates, added generous ladles of sauce, and sat at our well-worn table, feeling the absence yet celebrating a new beginning. Crusty bread was optional, but its crunch added a delightful texture contrast, making the meal complete. That day, I learned a simple truth: food has a comforting way of filling silence and hearts alike.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small green bell pepper diced
- 1 (28-ounce) can of diced tomatoes
- 1 (16-ounce) can of tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can of tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- pasta of your choice, cooked and hot, for serving
- crusty bread optional, of your choice, for serving
Directions
- Combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, and green pepper in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Cook and stir until the meat is brown and crumbly and the vegetables are tender, for about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain the grease from the pan.
- Stir the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the pan.
- Add the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
- Serve with the pasta and crusty bread.
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