Cold February weather calls for hearty meals and this spaghetti with meat sauce delivers. The crunchy carrot salad on the side provides the perfect tart accompaniment to cut through a rich tomato sauce.
Garlic / Onions / Green peppers / Parsley (for spaghetti & carrot salad) - Prep as directed. (Can be done up to 4 days ahead)
Carrots - If prepping right before dinner, get sauce simmering before returning to this prep step. Use a peeler to shave carrots into strips. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
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Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add cooking oil and then garlic, onions, and green peppers to heated oil with a sprinkle of salt. Saute until softened, ~3 minutes.
Fold in ground beef, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Brown for 4 to 6 minutes.
Add tomato paste and ketchup and saute for another 2 minutes.
Pour in crushed tomatoes, basil, and oregano. Stir and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
While sauce cooks, make vinaigrette for carrot salad by whisking together brown sugar, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, and cooking oil. Toss shaved carrots with vinaigrette and parsley.
Taste and season meat sauce with more salt, pepper, spices, or tomato paste. Divide pasta onto plates and cover in meat sauce. Finish with parmesan and parsley. Enjoy with carrot salad on the side.