Hearty Spaghetti Sauce
Elevate your pasta nights with this rich and flavorful Hearty Spaghetti Sauce—a comforting classic that’s perfect for the whole family. This homemade sauce combines tender ground beef (or a pork-beef mix) with aromatic onions, garlic, and a blend of Italian seasonings to create a robust, savory base. Simmered with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a hint of sugar for balance, this sauce achieves a velvety consistency and deep, slow-cooked flavor in just under an hour. A dash of red pepper flakes offers optional heat, while fresh parsley adds a burst of freshness to every bite. Serve this versatile sauce over your favorite pasta and finish with freshly grated Parmesan for an irresistible, restaurant-quality meal right at home. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, this hearty dish will quickly become a family favorite! SEO-friendly keywords: hearty spaghetti sauce, homemade pasta sauce, classic Italian recipe, family-friendly dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground pork/beef mix)
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional for serving)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the pan. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water, mixing well to combine.
Add the dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This allows the flavors to meld together.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
If desired, stir in fresh parsley before serving for a pop of freshness.
Serve hot over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
291 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.0 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.8 g | 34% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 61 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 403 mg | 18% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12.9 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g | ||
| Protein | 15.0 g | 30% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 66 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 600 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
