Here's a secret family recipe you're gonna love! German Spaghetti, aka Oma's Spaghetti, is an easy, savory pasta sauce that can be ready in 30 minutes.
This German-style spaghetti sauce is made with ground beef, onions, and celery, all sauteed in BUTTER and simmered with fresh tomatoes, it's sure to be a hit!
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This German-style spaghetti sauce is a savory pasta sauce my Oma used to make for me all the time. It's an heirloom family recipe that is sure to become a favorite in your easy weeknight dinner rotation!
Looking for more savory pasta sauce recipes? Be sure to check out our Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo, and Ground Turkey Pasta! And don't forget some Garlic Breadsticks, Crostini, or Homemade Focaccia. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are easy to make and so good with Oma's spaghetti.
✨Featured In: 24 Delicious Ground Beef Recipes to Make Ahead by Emmeline Kemperyd over at AirfryerMom.com.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
German spaghetti is a super easy recipe made from a few simple ingredients and can be ready in 30 minutes. It's a savory pasta dish that is sure to become a go-to comfort food favorite, with a mild tomato flavor that is mellowed by the addition of butter.
Here's What You Need
- ground beef - We use ground sirloin for its low fat content. May substitute ground round, or ground chuck. However, drain the grease with paper towels if you do.
- tomatoes - We use canned diced tomatoes for convenience. But fresh tomatoes are always best. Substitute 2 or 3 large whole tomatoes.
Canned tomatoes come in a water (preferred), or a thick tomato sauce mixed in with the tomatoes (avoid). Tomatoes in thick sauce alter the texture and alter the flavor profile of the finished sauce by making it too tomatoey.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
For more ground beef recipes, check out our super delicious One Pot Swedish Meatballs or Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup.
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Variations
If you use tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes in German Spaghetti, the result will be more like an Italian red sauce.
How To Make Oma's Easy German Spaghetti
Step 1. Sweat Onions. Sweat the onions on low heat in 1 tablespoon of butter until just translucent.
You don't want the onions to caramelize. You just want them softened, white in color and kind of opaque.
Step 2. Sauté Ground Beef. Over medium-high heat, add the ground sirloin and some salt and pepper, and stir it in with the onions until the ground beef is browned.
The browned hamburger should be pretty tasty at this point.
So give it a try and add some more salt if it needs it. This way, you are layering the flavors and building the foundation for a great tasting sauce.
Step 3. Simmer. Once the beef is browned and tasty, mix in the tomatoes and the celery.
Put the lid on the pan and let it simmer over medium-low heat until the celery is soft (approximately 15-20 minutes).
Step 4. Finish the Sauce. Turn off the heat, and add the remaining butter to finish the sauce and give it a smooth texture.
Here is a helpful article from The Spruce Eats about Finishing Sauces with Butter.
Serve. Serve this delicious savory German Spaghetti with some chopped parsley and a grating of parmesan cheese.
Top Tips
- Be sure to salt the pasta water. Salt flavors the pasta and will enhance the flavor of the whole dish.
- Cook the pasta to just al dente.
- Use the best, freshest ground beef you can find. Fresh ground beef will chop up into a nice texture when it is browned. And the tender ground beef will make for a tastier sauce.
- Don't skimp on the butter! Butter is essential to making a true Oma's spaghetti.
How to Serve German Spaghetti
Serve German Spaghetti with some Garlic Breadsticks, Crostini, or Homemade Focaccia. Or do like we do in our house and pop some Pillsbury Crescent Rolls into the oven to serve with Oma's Spaghetti. They're the best thing ever!
A fresh green salad like our Copycat Panera Greek Salad is the perfect thing to serve with this savory pasta dish.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! German spaghetti freezes easily in an airtight container. Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator when you're ready to eat it.
It'll last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Yes! It's the perfect thing for meal prep because the leftover pasta has had extra time to absorb the sauce, making it even better when reheated.
Did you love this recipe? If you make this recipe and love it, stop back, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Seanna's Kitchen and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe to my Newsletter for ALL the latest recipes! We'd love to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Oma's Easy German Spaghetti Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground sirloin
- ½ cup yellow onion diced
- ½ cup celery diced
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes canned or fresh tomatoes
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 lb spaghetti cooked
Instructions
- Sweat Onions. Sweat the onions on low heat in 1 tablespoon of butter until just translucent. You don't want the onions to caramelize. You just want them softened, white in color and kind of opaque.½ cup yellow onion
- Sauté Ground Beef. Over medium-high heat, add the ground sirloin and some salt and pepper, and stir it in with the onions until the ground beef is browned. The browned hamburger should be pretty tasty at this point. So give it a try and add some more salt if it needs it. This way, you are layering the flavors and building the foundation for a great tasting sauce.1 lb ground sirloin, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Simmer. Once the beef is browned and tasty, mix in the tomatoes and the celery. Put the lid on the pan and let it simmer over medium-low heat until the celery is soft (approximately 15-20 minutes).½ cup celery, 14 ounces diced tomatoes
- Finish. Turn off the heat, and add the remaining butter to finish the sauce and give it a smooth texture and mellow flavor. And serve over spaghetti or your favorite cooked pasta.4 tablespoons butter, 1 lb spaghetti
Tommie says
Sooooo good. Thank you
Seanna Borrows says
So glad you liked it Tommie! Thank you so much for leaving a comment and a 5 star rating! I appreciate you!
Dottie says
Sometimes you just don't want traditional Italian spice spaghetti sooooo, this is so good for an alternative. My family ate every last bit. I have also tried adding Adobo and Cavender's All Purpose to it which is very flavorful.
Seanna Borrows says
So glad you enjoyed it Dottie!
Suzie says
This is the best spaghetti recipe on earth!
Seanna Borrows says
Thank you so much! 😊
Sue says
I'm making it as I type. You don't drain the grease from the ground sirloin? Hey, I'm all for NOT, just wondering.
Seanna says
Hey Sue, I don't drain it. I would maybe for ground round or ground chuck though. This is for sure not a low fat recipe. Don't forget to add ALL the butter. It's so good! Hope you liked it. So sorry for delay in reply. I didn't see your comment until just now!
Judy Dew says
Absolutely delicious. I do add garlic but just as good without it.
Seanna says
Thanks Judy. So glad you like it. Garlic is a good addition!
Laura says
This looks super good. I definitely need to add it to my easy weeknight dinners rotation.
Seanna says
Hey Thank You, Laura! This recipe is definitely one of our all time favorites! It's delish!
Judy Dew says
Wasn't sure what it would taste like but it is delicious. I make this once a week,
easy and so good.
Seanna says
Thanks Judy! Makes me so happy to hear. Its great comfort food, for sure!
Judy says
Oma's Spaghetti was fabulous. The taste delicious. We finished the entire recipe in one sitting. None left to freeze. Will have to double it next time.
Seanna says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I know Dad loves it! It’s always been a Chambers family favorite! 💜
Russ Borrows says
Family favorite!
Seanna says
Thanks Honey!
Sherry says
Seanna, could I add veggies like maybe spinach to this & when should I add it?
Seanna Borrows says
Hi Sherry, More veggies are always a good thing! I'd add spinach in at the end so that it just wilts. Add firmer vegetables like carrots or zucchini in with the onions so they have time to soften. Thanks for your question! So nice hearing from you! ~Seanna