Homemade Spaghetti Sauce is a simple and classic recipe that can be used in so many different ways!
With both ground beef and Italian sausage, it’s all simmered in a zesty seasoned tomato sauce! Perfect over pasta, added to Lasagna or Baked Ziti, and perfect for dipping Cheesy Bread Sticks!
Homemade Sauce is Easy!
This sauce happens to be so fragrant, flavorful, and oh-so-easy to put together!
So Many Uses The best spaghetti sauce is a one-size-fits-all sauce that can be used over pasta, eggplant parmigiana, or even as a sauce over your favorite Pizza Dough!
Add Veggies This pasta sauce is very simple and straightforward but is a great base to add in your favorite veggies if you’d like! Mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers are great additions. If you’d prefer a little spice, add extra chili flakes.
Make Ahead This sauce will last a few days in the fridge but it freezes beautifully too so don’t be afraid to double the recipe!
Ingredients
This easy homemade spaghetti sauce uses just one skillet and a few savory ingredients.
MEAT While I do make pasta sauce with just beef or ground turkey, the combination of beef and Italian sausage gives it a little more flavor oomph in this recipe.
SAUCE This recipe has 3 types of tomatoes, crushed tomatoes are the base, diced tomatoes add texture, and tomato paste adds zest.
AN ODD INGREDIENT Shredded carrots are added to this recipe instead of sugar. Tomatoes can be acidic and, while you can’t taste the carrots, they balance out the sauce. (I add them to my homemade marinara too).
Stove Top or Slow Cooker
This recipe can even be made into an easy crockpot spaghetti sauce! Just pre-cook the meat and drain off the fat before adding all the other ingredients to the crockpot.
On the stovetop, set on simmer for a perfect homemade spaghetti sauce!
How to Make Spaghetti Sauce
- Brown meat, onion and garlic. Drain any fat.
- Add remaining ingredients (per the recipe below) and simmer.
- Spoon over your fave pasta and enjoy!
How to Thicken
The easiest way to thicken a spaghetti meat sauce is to let it continue to simmer on low heat (uncovered) until the liquid evaporates a little more.
To thicken in a hurry, you can make a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch/water) and add a little at a time but for the best flavor, just let it simmer.
Be sure not to rinse the pasta after draining. The starches in the pasta will thicken the sauce slightly and help it stick to the noodles!
Leftovers
Spaghetti sauce will last up to about 3-4 days in the fridge (and is one of those great recipes like chili that seems to get better with time)!
To freeze spaghetti sauce, simply cool completely, pour into freezer bags, label and lay flat in the freezer. When making spaghetti sauce, double or triple this for freezing so you’ll always have plenty on hand!
More Zesty Pasta Recipes
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from votes
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
This spaghetti sauce is versatile and filled with flavorful and fragrant ingredients.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Cook beef, sausage, onion, and garlic in a large pot or dutch oven until no pink remains. Drain fat.
Stir in the remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until thickened.
Taste and season with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh parsley if using.
Serve over spaghetti or cooked pasta.
*Shredded carrots add sweetness to balance the tart flavor of the tomatoes. If you don’t have carrots, you can add a diced red bell pepper or add a small pinch of sugar.
Water is added to this recipe to allow the flavors to blend as it simmers without thickening too much. It can be replaced with beef broth or beef stock.
If substituting Italian sausage for another ground meat such as beef or pork, bump up the seasonings a little bit and add ½ teaspoon oregano and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
To thicken spaghetti, let it simmer uncovered until the liquid evaporates.
Do not rinse the pasta after draining. The starches in the pasta will thicken the sauce slightly and help it stick to the noodles!
Spaghetti sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
from votes
Calories: 251 | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 691mg | Potassium: 1003mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1327IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 5mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course, Pasta, Sauce
Cuisine American, Italian
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