Quick & Hearty Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe Your Family Will Love

Weeknight dinners call for a quick yet delectable homemade spaghetti sauce that brings Italian comfort to your table.

Bursting with robust flavors, this sauce combines fresh ingredients and simple techniques.

Ripe tomatoes blend seamlessly with aromatic herbs and spices to create a mouthwatering base.

Each spoonful carries the warmth of traditional cooking and love from your kitchen.

The secret lies in slow simmering and balancing seasonings just right.

Fresh basil and a touch of garlic elevate this classic recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Dive into this culinary adventure and transform your pasta night into a memorable meal.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce That Beats the Jar

• Conquer Kitchen Complexity: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet meal with minimal cooking skills required, making it perfect for home chefs of all levels.
• Savor Versatile Dining: Perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or casual gatherings, these chicken balls and creamy pasta adapt seamlessly to different dining scenarios.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like ground turkey, add extra spices, or incorporate vegetables to match your taste preferences and nutritional needs.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with kid-approved flavors and protein-rich components, this dish guarantees smiles around the dinner table and satisfies both adults and children.

Ingredients for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the homemade spaghetti sauce.

• Onions, Garlic, Green Peppers, Mushrooms: A blend of aromatic and savory vegetables that provide depth and complexity to the sauce.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates and intensifies the tomato flavor.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides a smooth, liquid base for the sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Adds texture and chunky tomato goodness.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle, earthy undertone to the sauce.
• Oregano, Italian Seasoning: Brings traditional Italian herb flavors.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté the vegetables and beef while adding a subtle, rich flavor.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh finish to the sauce.

How to Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown Meat with Veggies

Start by warming olive oil in a spacious pot over medium flame. Toss in ground beef, chopped onions, minced garlic, diced green peppers, and sliced mushrooms.

Stir and cook the mixture, allowing the beef to transform into a rich golden brown and vegetables to become tender and translucent, which takes roughly 10 minutes.

Step 2: Build Flavor Foundation

• Tomato paste
• Tomato sauce
• Crushed tomatoes
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Sugar
• Bay leaf
• Dried oregano
• Italian seasoning

Blend everything thoroughly, ensuring all components are well integrated.

Step 3: Let Sauce Develop Depth

Lower the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the sauce to gently simmer, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.

This slow cooking process will meld flavors beautifully for about one hour.

Step 4: Final Touch and Serving

Carefully remove the bay leaf before serving.

Ladle this rich, aromatic sauce over freshly cooked spaghetti or your preferred pasta. Sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top for an extra burst of color and freshness.

Pro Tips for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Brown the ground beef thoroughly to develop rich, deep flavors and create delicious caramelization for an authentic taste.
• Chop onions, garlic, peppers, and mushrooms into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and balanced texture throughout the sauce.
• Adjust herbs and spices gradually, tasting as you go to create a perfectly balanced sauce that suits your personal flavor preferences.
• Allow the sauce to cook slowly on low heat, which helps ingredients meld together and develops a more complex, rich flavor profile.
• Refrigerate leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months for quick future meals.

Variations on Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Vegetarian Marinara: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a protein-packed meatless sauce. Add extra mushrooms for a hearty texture.
• Spicy Arrabbiata Style: Incorporate red pepper flakes and extra garlic for a fiery kick. Replace some tomato sauce with spicy roasted red pepper sauce.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Sauce: Skip traditional pasta and serve over spiralized zucchini noodles. Reduce sugar and increase herbs for enhanced flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Inspired Sauce: Add kalamata olives, diced eggplant, and crumbled feta cheese. Swap Italian seasoning for fresh oregano and basil leaves.

Pairing Ideas for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, meaty sauce and enhances its savory tomato flavors.
• Complement with Crusty Garlic Bread: Create a perfect side dish by toasting thick slices of Italian bread with garlic butter, offering a crispy texture that soaks up the delicious sauce.
• Match with Fresh Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle generous amounts of freshly grated Parmesan over the pasta, adding a salty, nutty dimension that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Balance with Simple Green Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the sauce's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta.

Storing Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Store leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer sauce to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for 3-4 months, maintaining best quality and flavor.
• Place sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Pour sauce into a saucepan, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking, and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.

FAQs

• Why use multiple types of tomato products?

Different tomato products add depth and complexity to the sauce. Tomato paste provides richness, tomato sauce adds smoothness, and crushed tomatoes bring texture and fresh tomato flavor.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a lean alternative. The sauce will have a similar taste and texture while being a healthier option.

• How can I make the sauce less acidic?

Adding a small amount of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. The sugar neutralizes the sharp taste and creates a more rounded flavor profile.

• Is this sauce freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! This homemade sauce freezes excellently for up to 3 months. Cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers for future meals.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Homemade Spaghetti Sauce brings Italian comfort straight to kitchen tables with rich, slow-simmered tomato goodness. Rich herbs and slow-cooked flavors make you dream of Mediterranean kitchens, promising a delicious meal that connects family and friends around one warm, inviting plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 can (28 ounces / 794 grams) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (12 ounces / 340 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) lean ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Herbs, Seasonings, and Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat (around 350°F), preparing for a robust flavor foundation.
2. Introduce ground beef, onions, garlic, green peppers, and mushrooms into the pot, creating a savory aromatic base.
3. Sauté the mixture, gently stirring every few minutes, until the beef transforms to a rich brown color and vegetables become tender, approximately 8-12 minutes.
4. Incorporate tomato paste, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, seasonings including salt, pepper, sugar, bay leaf, oregano, and Italian herbs, blending ingredients thoroughly.
5. Reduce cooking temperature to low, covering the pot with a lid to trap moisture and enhance flavor melding.
6. Allow sauce to gently simmer, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking, for 50-65 minutes until flavors harmonize and sauce thickens.
7. Discard the bay leaf to prevent any bitter undertones in the final sauce.
8. Ladle the hearty sauce over freshly cooked pasta, optionally garnishing with delicate chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a leaner or vegetarian version.
• Use fresh herbs like basil or thyme instead of dried Italian seasoning for a more vibrant flavor profile.
• Enhance sauce depth by adding a splash of red wine during the simmering process for complex, rich undertones.
• Freeze extra sauce in portion-sized containers for quick and easy future meals, maintaining freshness up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 251 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 340 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg