For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 ½ pounds ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or sausage)
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• Kosher salt to taste (approx. 1 ½ tsp)
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons pressed or grated garlic (from 3–4 cloves)
• ½–1 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ cup dry red wine (optional)
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

For the Pasta:

• 1 pound dried spaghetti
• 3 tablespoons salt (for boiling water)

For Garnish:

• ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley
• Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese