🇮🇹 Italian Feast (Easy Family-Style Dinner)
This Italian Feast is a simple homemade meal that feels like a restaurant dinner: spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, and fresh salad. Perfect for family dinners or guests.
🍝 Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce
450 g (1 lb) ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (800 g / 28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
2 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta
400 g spaghetti
Salted water for boiling
Garlic Bread
1 baguette or Italian bread loaf
4 tbsp butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
¼ cup grated Parmesan
Simple Italian Salad
2 cups lettuce, chopped
1 tomato, sliced
½ cucumber, sliced
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
Salt & pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Meat Sauce
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Cook onion for 3–4 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar.
Simmer 15–20 minutes until thick and flavorful.
2️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Cook spaghetti according to package instructions (usually 8–10 minutes).
Drain and set aside.
3️⃣ Make Garlic Bread
Mix butter, garlic, parsley, and Parmesan.
Spread on sliced bread.
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes until golden.
4️⃣ Prepare the Salad
Toss lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion.
Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice.
Season with salt and pepper.
🍽️ To Serve
Place spaghetti on plates
Spoon meat sauce on top
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese
Serve with garlic bread and salad
✅ Tip: Add meatballs, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables to make the feast even bigger
