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Final meal of Bland to Bold: Easy Spaghetti & Meat Sauce Flavor Boosts in a green plate, with a silver fork.
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Bland to Bold: Easy Spaghetti & Meat Sauce Flavor Boosts

How to Fix Bland Spaghetti with Simple, Budget-Friendly Ingredients
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 5
Course: Main Course

Ingredients
  

Ingredients Needed
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 red bell pepper diced (use green if you prefer a more savory flavor)
  • 2 cloves garlic lightly crushed
  • pinch garlic salt
  • pinch adobo seasoning
  • pinch salt
  • pinch black pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons total of finely chopped fresh herbs: thyme oregano, and basil
  • 1 jar tomato sauce Rao’s or your favorite budget-friendly option
  • Optional if fresh herbs are not available:
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil McCormick Gourmet Organic Basil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend Simple Truth Organic Italian Seasoning Blend
  • Pasta of choice cooked according to package directions

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
    Diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and sautéed in a sliver pan with olive oil.
  2. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it browns, until no pink remains.
  3. Season the beef with a pinch of garlic salt, adobo seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the meat.
  4. Add fresh thyme, oregano, and basil, or dried herbs if fresh herbs are not available. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to let the flavors bloom.
    Diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic, herbs and ground beef sautéed in a sliver pan with olive oil.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let the sauce simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve over your pasta of choice.
    Final meal of Bland to Bold: Easy Spaghetti & Meat Sauce Flavor Boosts in a green plate, with a silver fork.