Old-school spaghetti

old-school spaghetti is pure comfort food. No fancy tricks, just slow-simmered sauce, simple ingredients, and that “Sunday dinner” vibe. Here’s a classic, step-by-step old-school spaghetti recipe, the way it’s been made forever.

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🍝 Old-School Spaghetti (Classic Red Sauce)

⏱ Time

• Prep: 15 minutes

• Simmer: 45–90 minutes (longer = better)

🍽 Serves

• 4–6

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🧾 Ingredients

Pasta

• 1 lb spaghetti

• Salt (for pasta water)

Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lb ground beef (or beef/pork mix)

• 1 tsp salt (to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp sugar (optional but very old-school)

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ cup water or beef broth

Optional Add-Ins (very traditional)

• Parmesan rind (if you’ve got one)

• Pinch of red pepper flakes

For Serving

• Freshly grated parmesan

• Chopped parsley (optional)

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🔥 Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Start the Sauce Base

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add chopped onion.

3. Cook 5–7 minutes until soft and translucent (not browned).

👉 Old-school rule: patience here builds flavor.

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Step 2: Garlic & Meat

1. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. Add ground beef.

3. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned.

4. Drain excess grease if needed (leave a little for flavor).

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Step 3: Season

1. Stir in:

   • Salt

   • Pepper

   • Oregano

   • Basil

   • Sugar

2. Let seasonings toast for 1 minute.

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Step 4: Tomatoes In

1. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.

2. Pour in water or broth.

3. Add bay leaf (and parmesan rind if using).

4. Stir well.

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Step 5: Simmer Low & Slow

1. Bring to a gentle simmer.

2. Reduce heat to low.

3. Partially cover and simmer 45–90 minutes, stirring occasionally.

👉 The longer it simmers, the deeper and richer it gets.

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Step 6: Taste & Adjust

1. Remove bay leaf (and rind).

2. Taste and adjust salt or sugar if needed.

3. Sauce should be thick, rich, and slightly sweet.

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Step 7: Cook the Spaghetti

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.

2. Salt generously (water should taste like the sea).

3. Cook spaghetti until al dente.

4. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

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Step 8: Bring It Together

1. Add spaghetti to the sauce OR ladle sauce over pasta.

2. Toss with a splash of pasta water if needed.

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🧀 Serve Like Grandma Did

• Big bowl of spaghetti

• Heavy sprinkle of parmesan

• White bread or garlic bread on the side

• No skimping 😌

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🔥 Old-School Tips

• Never rush the sauce

• Canned tomatoes > fresh for this style

• Tastes even better the next day

• Freezes beautifully