Spaghetti with quick bolognese sauce

11
Points®
Total Time
26 min
Prep
6 min
Cook
20 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Nothing is as comforting as a big bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce and this one can be on your dinner table in just over 20 minutes! Hearty whole wheat pasta anchors the familiar sauce filled with ground beef, tomato, onion and peppers. A bit of basil makes the Italian flavors bright and fresh, while a hint of red pepper flakes add a base-note of heat. Serve with some extra for heat-loving diners. Toss together a quick and crunchy green salad to amp the veggies and complete your meal. This quick and flavorful dish is sure to become a weeknight staple.

Ingredients

Uncooked lean ground beef

1 pound(s)

Onion

1 medium, chopped

Bell pepper

1 item(s), medium, green, chopped

Garlic

2 clove(s), minced

Canned diced tomatoes

28 oz

Dried basil

2 tsp

Table salt

¼ tsp

Red pepper flakes

tsp

Uncooked whole wheat pasta

8 oz, spaghetti variety

Instructions

  1. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in the onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, basil, salt, and red pepper flakes; bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, omitting the salt if desired. Drain.
  3. Toss the pasta with the sauce. Yields 1 1⁄2 cups spaghetti and sauce per serving.