Grandma’s Secret Homemade Spaghetti Recipe: Family Favorite

Pasta nights reach new heights with this incredible homemade spaghetti recipe that captures the essence of authentic Italian cooking.

Rich tomato sauce simmers with aromatic herbs, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Every strand of perfectly cooked pasta tells a story of tradition and love.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, turning a simple meal into a culinary masterpiece.

The sauce balances tangy and sweet notes with remarkable depth.

Each bite promises comfort and satisfaction that store-bought meals can never replicate.

This classic dish will become your go-to recipe for delicious, hearty dinners that warm the soul.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Homemade Spaghetti Night

• Spaghetti Noodles: Classic Italian pasta that creates the foundation of the dish, choose high-quality durum wheat noodles for authentic texture and flavor.

• Lean Ground Beef, Yellow Onion: Rich protein source that adds hearty depth, select fresh ground beef with minimal fat content and crisp, firm onion for maximum flavor intensity.
• Minced Garlic, Garlic Powder: Powerful flavor boosters that infuse robust, aromatic notes, opt for fresh garlic cloves and high-quality powder for layered garlic complexity.

• Olive Oil: Essential for smooth cooking and rich undertones, select cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil for superior taste and nutritional benefits.
• Italian Seasoning, Black Pepper, Salt: Perfectly balanced spice blend that elevates the entire dish, choose fresh, fragrant dried herbs and coarse sea salt for maximum flavor development.
• Spaghetti Sauce: Convenient base that delivers instant tomato richness, select premium jarred sauce with minimal preservatives and authentic ingredients.
• Optional: Diced Tomatoes: Fresh addition that provides extra moisture and bright tomato punch, choose ripe, firm canned tomatoes for consistent texture.

Kitchen Essentials for Homemade Spaghetti

• Instant Pot: Essential electric pressure cooker for this one-pot spaghetti recipe.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for dicing onions and preparing ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure water and sauce.
• Measuring spoons: Crucial for precise seasoning amounts.
• Can opener: Needed for opening diced tomatoes.

How to Make Homemade Spaghetti from Scratch

• Flavor Foundation

Start by sautéing onions in olive oil until they become translucent and soft, releasing their sweet aroma in the Instant Pot.

• Meat Magic

Brown ground beef in the same pot, breaking it into small pieces and seasoning with aromatic herbs and spices that will create a rich, deep flavor profile.

• Liquid Liberation

Pour water into the pot to capture all the delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.

• Noodle Nest

Arrange spaghetti noodles in a crisscross pattern, nestling them gently into the liquid and sauce, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.

• Pressure Perfect

Lock the lid and let the Instant Pot work its magic, transforming simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal in just minutes.

• Resting and Releasing

Allow the pot to naturally release pressure, letting the flavors meld and intensify during those crucial final moments of cooking.

• Serving Celebration

Stir the pasta thoroughly, creating a harmonious blend of noodles, sauce, and meat, then serve up a steaming plate of comfort food that will make everyone at the table smile.

Tasty Tips for Homemade Spaghetti

• Add a splash of red wine while browning beef for deeper, richer taste profiles that elevate the entire dish.
• Swap Italian seasoning with fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme for a garden-fresh twist that transforms the meal's complexity.
• Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles to create delicious variations that suit different dietary preferences.
• Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan or mozzarella on top after cooking for a creamy, melty finish that adds incredible depth and texture to your spaghetti.
• This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners when time is tight and hunger strikes.

Serving Suggestions for Homemade Spaghetti

• Garlic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty baguette, brush with garlic butter, and toast until golden brown for a perfect crispy side that complements the hearty spaghetti.
• Fresh Salad Pairing: Toss together a crisp green salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a light Italian vinaigrette to balance the rich pasta dish and add refreshing crunch.
• Parmesan Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the hot spaghetti, letting it melt slightly and create an extra layer of creamy, savory goodness.
• Wine Selection Tip: Pair this homemade spaghetti with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the robust flavors of the beef and tomato sauce.

Storing Homemade Spaghetti the Smart Way

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Recovery: Seal cooled spaghetti in airtight containers, keeping fresh for 3-4 days. Separate sauce and noodles to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy results.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Package individual portions in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Label with date and contents, ensuring flat storage to maximize space. Frozen meals stay delicious for up to 2 months.
• Reheating Magic: Revive refrigerated spaghetti by adding splash of water or broth when microwaving. Stir midway through heating to distribute warmth evenly and restore moisture.
• Ingredient Separation Strategy: Store cooked ground beef and sauce separately from noodles. This method prevents pasta from absorbing excess liquid and maintains perfect consistency when reheating.

Delectable Spaghetti Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Classic homemade Nonna’s spaghetti marinara delivers authentic Italian comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Family recipes carry deep culinary traditions that welcome diners into a warm Mediterranean experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
• 16 oz (454 g) spaghetti noodles
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce (24 oz/680 g)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) minced garlic
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 6 cups (1.4 L) water (divided)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Preparation: Activate Instant Pot’s sauté mode, heating the surface to create a flavorful foundation.
2. Onion Foundation: Introduce olive oil and diced onions, transforming them into a translucent aromatic base.
3. Meat Integration: Incorporate ground beef, methodically breaking it into delicate fragments and browning thoroughly.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and minced garlic, intensifying the meat’s depth and complexity.
5. Liquid Foundation: Deglaze the pot with water, liberating caramelized essence clinging to the surface.
6. Noodle Arrangement: Strategically position spaghetti noodles in a crisscross pattern, ensuring optimal cooking and even distribution.
7. Sauce Layering: Generously coat noodles with spaghetti sauce and diced tomatoes, creating a rich, robust liquid environment.
8. Pressure Cooking: Seal the Instant Pot, programming a precise 5-minute pressure cooking cycle to meld flavors and cook ingredients.
9. Pressure Release: Allow a 5-minute natural pressure dissipation, followed by a swift manual release to complete the cooking process.
10. Final Fusion: Thoroughly integrate all components, ensuring a harmonious blend of meat, noodles, and sauce before serving immediately.

Notes

• Meat Browning Tip: Ensure ground beef is completely browned without pink spots for food safety and optimal flavor development.
• Noodle Placement Technique: Crisscross spaghetti noodles to prevent clumping and guarantee even cooking throughout the pot.
• Deglazing Flavor Boost: Use wooden spoon to scrape caramelized bits from pot bottom, which adds deep, rich background notes to the entire dish.
• Pressure Cooking Precision: Follow exact 5-minute cooking time and 5-minute natural release to prevent overcooked, mushy pasta and maintain perfect al dente texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing, Pressure Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg