Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe: Rich Flavors, Cozy Comfort

A classic homemade spaghetti sauce brings warmth and comfort to any kitchen table.

Memories of grandma’s cooking drift through the air as rich tomato aromas fill the space.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in creating something truly special.

Passionate home cooks know that simplicity leads to extraordinary flavors.

Each carefully selected herb and ripe tomato contributes to a magical culinary experience.

Authentic Italian techniques blend seamlessly with modern cooking approaches.

Why Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Tastes So Good

• Craft Comfort Cuisine: This homemade spaghetti sauce transforms simple ingredients into a rich, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug from an Italian grandmother.
• Build Bold Flavors: Layering ground beef with aromatic vegetables and a blend of herbs creates a deeply satisfying sauce that packs incredible depth and complexity.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Minimal prep and straightforward cooking steps make this recipe a perfect solution for busy families craving a delicious, home-cooked dinner without complicated techniques.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable to personal tastes, the recipe allows for vegetable variations or spice adjustments, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys their meal.

Ingredients for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the sauce.
• Tomato Sauce, Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: The foundational components that create the classic tomato base for this homemade sauce.

• Onions, Garlic, Green Peppers, Mushrooms: Fresh vegetables that provide depth, sweetness, and a robust flavor profile to the sauce.

• Salt, Pepper, Sugar, Bay Leaf, Oregano, Italian Seasoning: A blend of spices that enhance the overall taste and balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding a smooth, rich undertone to the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: An optional garnish that adds a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

How to Make Classic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Step 1: Heat Up the Cooking Vessel

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil into a large pot, spreading it evenly across the bottom to create a flavorful base for your sauce.

Step 2: Brown the Protein and Vegetables

• Ground beef
• Onions
• Garlic
• Green peppers
• Mushrooms

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the beef turns a rich brown color and the vegetables become tender and translucent, which typically takes about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Build Layers of Flavor

• Tomato paste
• Tomato sauce
• Crushed tomatoes
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Sugar
• Bay leaf
• Dried oregano
• Italian seasoning

Stir everything together, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and distributed evenly.

Step 4: Slow Simmer for Depth

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let the sauce gently simmer.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow the flavors to meld together beautifully. Continue simmering for approximately one hour.

Step 5: Final Touch

Remove the bay leaf from the sauce, discarding it as it has completed its flavor-enhancing mission.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the rich, aromatic sauce over cooked spaghetti or your preferred pasta.

For an extra burst of freshness, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.

Helpful Tips for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Toast herbs and spices in olive oil before adding tomato ingredients to intensify their aromatic qualities and release richer taste profiles.
• Adjust sauce consistency by simmering uncovered to reduce liquid or adding small amounts of water if too thick, ensuring perfect texture.
• Select lean ground beef (85% or 90%) to prevent excessive grease, which can make sauce overly fatty and less refined.
• Add a splash of red wine or a small amount of grated parmesan cheese during simmering to deepen savory notes and complexity.
• Prepare sauce in larger batches and freeze in portions, allowing convenient future meals with consistent delicious results.

Variations on Traditional Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced eggplant for a meat-free version that's packed with flavor and nutrition.
• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or hot sauce to create a fiery sauce that will warm up your taste buds and add excitement to the meal.
• Mediterranean Magic: Incorporate kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil to transform the sauce into a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece with rich, complex flavors.
• Protein Power: Mix in cooked ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that maintains the sauce's hearty texture and delicious taste.

Best Foods to Serve with Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: A robust Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly complements the rich, meaty tomato sauce with its bold flavor profile and balanced acidity.
• Sprinkle Fresh Parmesan: Grate aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over the pasta to add a salty, nutty dimension that enhances the sauce's deep, savory notes.
• Create Garlic Bread Companion: Prepare crispy, buttery garlic bread with toasted edges to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy textural contrast.
• Match Crisp Green Salad: Serve a light, refreshing mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the sauce's richness and add a fresh, zesty element to the meal.

Storing Homemade Spaghetti Sauce for Later Use

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.

Pour sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.

Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and heat on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until thoroughly warmed. Add a splash of water if sauce seems dry.

Warm sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Add a little water or broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a lean alternative that works perfectly in this sauce. Simply swap the ground beef with ground turkey and follow the same cooking instructions.

• Is it okay to skip some vegetables?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize the sauce by adding or removing vegetables based on your preference or what you have available in your kitchen.

• How can I make the sauce more or less spicy?

Adjust the spiciness by adding red pepper flakes for heat or reducing black pepper. You can also include a dash of cayenne pepper if you want more kick.

• Can I freeze this homemade spaghetti sauce?

Yes, this sauce freezes wonderfully. Let it cool completely, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Delicious Spaghetti Sauce brings classic Italian flavors straight to kitchen tables with rich tomato depths and aromatic herbs. Simmered slowly with love, this sauce promises comfort and authenticity in each delectable spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 (28 ounces / 794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (12 ounces / 340 grams) can tomato sauce

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (150 grams) mushrooms, sliced

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a spacious pot over medium flame.
2. Introduce ground beef, diced onions, minced garlic, chopped green peppers, and sliced mushrooms. Sauté until meat browns completely and vegetables become tender, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3. Incorporate tomato paste, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and seasonings including salt, pepper, sugar, bay leaf, oregano, and Italian seasoning. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
4. Lower heat to gentle simmer. Cover pot and allow sauce to develop flavors for 60 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
5. After simmering, extract and discard bay leaf to prevent bitter taste.
6. Ladle sauce generously over freshly prepared spaghetti or preferred pasta variety. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley for enhanced visual appeal and herbaceous note.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by using a mix of ground meats like beef and pork for a richer, more complex taste profile.
• Customize the sauce’s thickness by adjusting the amount of tomato paste and crushed tomatoes to suit your preference.
• For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or add extra vegetables like zucchini and eggplant.
• Reduce sugar content by using sweet vegetables like carrots or roasted bell peppers to naturally sweeten the sauce instead of white sugar.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 198 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 310 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg