Bring the pasta water to a boil
While the water is heating, brown the beef, turkey or Italian sausage in a Dutch oven. Do this in batches to prevent the meat from steaming and turning gray
Season the meat with salt, pepper and basil
Stir in diced onion and cook for 5 minutes
Stir in garlic cloves and cook for another minute
Add canned tomatoes
Add crushed red pepper flakes and basil if you're using them
Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes ( you can simmer longer if you like, up to an hour. Add water to keep the sauce from drying out)
While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta
Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than recommended on the package
Drain the pasta and add to the sauce. Let the pasta simmer in the sauce for 2 -3 minutes
Serve the pasta with fresh shaved Parmesan cheese.