Mama's Spaghetti Sauce
Transport your taste buds to the heart of home-cooked comfort with Mama's Spaghetti Sauce, a rich and hearty Italian classic that will make every meal feel like Sunday dinner. This recipe combines the savory depth of ground beef and Italian sausage with the robust flavors of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic Italian herbs like basil, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Slow-simmered to perfection for two hours, this sauce develops an irresistible depth, making it the ultimate blend of sweet, smoky, and spicy notes. Ideal for pairing with your favorite pasta, this family-favorite sauce is topped with optional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a truly authentic touch. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or craving a comforting weeknight meal, this easy-to-follow recipe will bring a taste of tradition to your table. Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly, this versatile sauce is a kitchen staple you'll return to again and again.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 15 ounces tomato sauce (canned)
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook, breaking it up into small pieces, until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix well to combine.
Add the sugar, dried basil, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves. Stir to incorporate the spices.
Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially and let simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving.
Serve over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
469 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.7 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.8 g | 54% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 78 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 1022 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.2 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.0 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 15.0 g | ||
| Protein | 23.4 g | 47% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 90 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 4.2 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 996 mg | 21% | |
*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.
