Dirty Spaghetti
A bold, flavorful twist on classic spaghetti with ground beef, sausage, a rich tomato-based sauce, and Cajun-inspired seasonings. This is comfort food with serious depth.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20
- 1 lb Italian sausage removed from casing
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon AP Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage together, breaking into small pieces. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper to the meat. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add minced garlic and tomato paste. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the paste darkens slightly.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir to combine with the meat and vegetables.
- Season with AP Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop the flavors.
- Add butter to the sauce and stir until melted and incorporated. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti directly into the sauce, coating every strand. Cook together for 1-2 minutes so the pasta absorbs the flavors.
- Serve topped with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
Use a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage for the best flavor. If you want more heat, add extra Cajun Seasoning or red pepper flakes. The sauce thickens as it sits, so add a splash of pasta water when reheating leftovers. This recipe works great with any pasta shape.
Nutrition
Calories: 650kcal
