Spaghetti Sauce
Transform your pasta night with this rich and flavorful homemade spaghetti sauce, a must-try recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Made with a base of sautéed garlic and onions, this sauce combines hearty crushed tomatoes, a touch of tomato paste, and a blend of classic Italian seasonings like oregano and basil for a robust, slow-simmered taste. Add depth with optional ground beef or Italian sausage for a meaty twist, and customize the spice level with red pepper flakes. This easy-to-make spaghetti sauce is ready in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day, offering the ultimate payoff in flavor. Serve it over your favorite pasta and top it with fresh parsley for a truly satisfying meal. Perfect for meal prep or freezing, this recipe is a versatile kitchen staple you'll come back to time and time again.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
If using ground beef or Italian sausage, add it to the pan and cook until fully browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well to combine.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the sauce simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Add a pinch more sugar or salt if desired.
Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1514 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 119.2 g | 153% | |
| Saturated Fat | 40.7 g | 204% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 318 mg | 106% | |
| Sodium | 1550 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.6 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.9 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.6 g | ||
| Protein | 90.3 g | 181% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 140 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 14.2 mg | 79% | |
| Potassium | 1855 mg | 39% | |
*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.
