Gluten Free Pasta with Spaghetti Meat Sauce

A hearty, classic meat sauce served over gluten-free spaghetti for an easy family meal.

Prep Time30

Cook Time5

Total Time35

Servings: 6 servings

1 lb ground beef (90/10)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced medium to small sized
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups diced carrot
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce and/or diced tomatoes use diced tomatoes or a combo of sauce and diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste 1 can
1 cup cold water
1 tablespoon basil
1/2 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon brown sugar or granulated sugar
2 small bay leaves or 1 large bay leaf
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
1 lb gluten free spaghetti (or regular spaghetti)
grated Parmesan cheese optional

Heat a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into pieces as it cooks; drain excess fat and optionally rinse with hot water, then wipe the skillet clean and return it to the heat.
Add the olive oil to the skillet, then sauté the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced carrot until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
Return the browned beef to the skillet and add the tomato sauce and/or diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cold water, basil, oregano, brown or granulated sugar, and bay leaves; stir to combine.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 1–4 hours until flavors meld; if it becomes too thick, add more water as needed.
When ready to serve, bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt the water, and cook the gluten-free spaghetti according to package directions; drain the pasta.
Toss the drained spaghetti with the meat sauce, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve with grated Parmesan if desired.