My Favorite Spaghetti Sauce
Transform your pasta night with "My Favorite Spaghetti Sauce," a versatile, flavor-packed recipe that elevates any meal. This rich and hearty sauce features a medley of sautéed vegetables—onion, garlic, carrot, and celery—blended seamlessly with crushed tomatoes and a touch of tomato paste for depth. Infused with aromatic dried basil, oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, this sauce strikes the perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet, thanks to a hint of sugar. Optional ground beef adds hearty protein, while a final stir of fresh parsley and basil brings a vibrant, herbaceous finish. Ready in just an hour, this easy homemade spaghetti sauce pairs beautifully with pasta, zoodles, or even as a pizza topping. A must-try for comfort food lovers, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 small, grated carrot
- 1 small, diced celery stalk
- 0.5 pounds ground beef (optional)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoons dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional) fresh basil
- 0.5 cups (if sauce is too thick) water or chicken stock
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic, grated carrot, and diced celery. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until softened.
If using ground beef, add it to the pan and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat if needed.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
Add salt, black pepper, and sugar, stirring to combine.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add water or chicken stock, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
Stir in fresh parsley and optional fresh basil just before serving.
Serve hot over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, and garnish with additional fresh herbs or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1045 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 75.6 g | 97% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.6 g | 113% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 181 mg | 60% | |
| Sodium | 2646 mg | 115% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 50.2 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.1 g | 47% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.9 g | ||
| Protein | 47.6 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 226 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 12.6 mg | 70% | |
| Potassium | 2803 mg | 60% | |
*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.
