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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

4.9 from 71 reviews

This homemade spaghetti sauce is a rich and flavorful tomato-based sauce made with ground beef, aromatic herbs, and a blend of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. It’s perfect for a classic Italian pasta dinner and can be garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs for an extra touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasonings

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 mix or equal parts beef and Italian sausage)
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil

Tomato Bases

  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar

Garnish (Optional)

  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Chopped parsley or basil

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it apart with a spatula. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the beef is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Spoon off excess fat if desired, though leaving it in adds flavor and richness.
  2. Sauté the onion: Add the finely diced onion to the beef mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and tomato paste: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to evenly coat ingredients and deepen the flavor.
  4. Add herbs and tomatoes: Sprinkle in dried oregano and basil. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in the sugar to balance the acidity. Bring the mixture to a uniform boil, stirring occasionally to prevent splatter.
  5. Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently. Allow it to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage.
  • Spoon off excess fat after browning meat if you prefer a leaner sauce.
  • Adjust the sugar amount based on the acidity of your tomatoes.
  • Simmering the sauce longer will deepen the flavors, up to an hour if desired.
  • Serve garnished with grated Parmesan and fresh herbs for a fresh finish.

Keywords: homemade spaghetti sauce, Italian sauce, ground beef spaghetti sauce, easy pasta sauce, tomato sauce recipe