Dirty Spaghetti Recipe: Easy, Viral, and Delicious
This viral Dirty Spaghetti recipe is incredibly easy to make and packed with rich, savory flavors. Featuring a creamy, meaty tomato sauce tossed with al dente spaghetti, it's a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounce)
- 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounce)
- 1 can tomato paste (6 ounce)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)
- grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- While spaghetti cooks, heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef (or turkey) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until thoroughly browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Once the sauce has simmered, stir in the heavy cream until it is fully incorporated and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the cooked and drained spaghetti directly into the sauce in the pot. Toss everything together vigorously until every strand of spaghetti is thoroughly coated with the rich, 'dirty' sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
For an even richer flavor, let the sauce simmer longer, up to an hour. You can substitute ground turkey or a plant-based ground alternative for the beef. Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of heat. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.