Spaghetti with meat sauce and mozzarella

By brandymarshall

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 tblsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 3/4 pound ground beef chuck
• 1 tblsp tomato paste
• 2 lbs beef steak or plum tomatoes, chopped
• 6 oz bocconcini (small balls of mozzarella), halved
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Preparation

Step 1

Cook pasta, drain, and return to pot.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high meat. Add onion, garlic, 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften, 3-5 min.
Add the beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, 3-5 min. Add the tomato paste, and cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 5-7 min more (add up to 1/4 cup water if the pan is dry).
Add the beef mixture, bocconcini, and basil to the pasta and toss to combine.