Description
A delicious homemade spaghetti sauce recipe that is bursting with flavor. This versatile sauce can be made with or without meat and is perfect for pasta dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Additions:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add meat: If using meat, add and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Combine ingredients: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add sugar, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Stir in fresh herbs and Parmesan before serving. Serve over pasta.
Notes
- Double the recipe and freeze extra sauce for future meals.
- For a smoother sauce, blend before simmering.
- Vegetarian? Skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or lentils.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of sauce
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
