Thick and Spicy Spaghetti Sauce

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Dive into a rich, bold-flavored experience with this Thick and Spicy Spaghetti Sauce, a hearty homemade recipe perfect for elevating your pasta nights. Crafted with a savory blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, this sauce boasts layers of depth from aromatics like sautéed onion and garlic, a touch of heat from crushed red pepper flakes, and a smoky kick from paprika. Tomatoes in various forms—crushed, diced with green chilies, and a zesty tomato paste—create a luscious base, while dried herbs like oregano and basil infuse it with classic Italian flavors. Simmered to velvety perfection, this sauce clings beautifully to every noodle. Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an irresistible finish. Quick to prepare and slow-cooked for maximum flavor, this thick and spicy spaghetti sauce is bound to become your new favorite go-to for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: N/A
• Total Time: 15 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

18 items

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 pound Ground beef (80% lean)
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 large Yellow onion
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 14.5 ounces Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1.5 teaspoons Dried oregano
• 1.5 teaspoons Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

📝 Instructions

9 steps

1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

2. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking it up into small pieces, until browned and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.

3. Finely chop the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves. Add them to the skillet with the cooked meat. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

4. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika, and granulated sugar. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the seasonings to bloom and the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.

5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and beef broth. Stir well to incorporate all the ingredients.

6. Add salt and black pepper. Stir again and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

7. Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let the sauce gently simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. For a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes.

8. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch more crushed red pepper flakes.

9. Serve the thick and spicy spaghetti sauce over cooked spaghetti or your pasta of choice. Garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (422.8g)

Calories		441
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		29.6 g	38%
	Saturated Fat	10.6 g	53%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		78 mg	26%
Sodium		1163 mg	51%
Total Carbohydrate		20.7 g	8%
	Dietary Fiber	4.7 g	17%
	Total Sugars	12.3 g
Protein		24.1 g	48%
Vitamin D		0.2 mcg	1%
Calcium		140 mg	11%
Iron		3.8 mg	21%
Potassium		963 mg	20%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1607 cal (60.0%%)

Protein: 575 cal (21.5%%)

Carbs: 494 cal (18.5%%)