Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

This recipe is extremely simple. If you like easy Italian-inspired sauce that you can make at home then you need to try this Bolognese Sauce or this Alfredo Sauce recipe!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade spaghetti sauce is a classic recipe that can be prepared quickly and one everyone will love. This simple sauce is not only nostalgic but classic for a good reason. You’ll love the flavorful tomato base and the combination of the beef and sausage. And to make it even better, it’s finished off with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. My family can not get enough of it! It’s the perfect spaghetti sauce to use in multiple recipes. Make a big batch and use it in recipes like this sheet pan lasagna, rigatoni, or this easy spaghetti pie!

Ingredients in Spaghetti Meat Sauce

Everyone has their favorite recipe, but the best sauces are often the most basic. Use simple ingredients to make this delicious homemade spaghetti sauce.

Olive Oil: choose a high-quality olive oil to brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic. This will only add to the flavor. Ground Beef: the type of ground beef is entirely up to and you can also switch out the ground beef for ground sausage. Yellow Onion: the onion brings a mild bite to the sauce which is a key flavor in spaghetti sauce. Garlic Cloves: these minced cloves bring the most powerful flavor that is so common in Italian recipes. Using freshly minced garlic will also bring about the best flavor. Tomato Paste: adding the tomato paste helps to thicken the sauce, but it also brings a strong flavor that is heightened when stirred in and cooked after the onions and garlic are cooked. Diced Tomatoes or Crushed Tomatoes: for a smoother sauce use crushed tomatoes and for a chunkier sauce go with diced tomatoes. Either one makes a delicious sauce. Water: this helps to bring the sauce together and you may use more or less to thicken or thin it. Sugar: This helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes with a little sweetness. Worcestershire: The umami flavor this brings to the sauce makes the meatiness deeper and more complex. Italian Seasoning: this classic spice adds a peppery flavor to the sauce. Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adding parmesan cheese is optional, but strongly suggested for that delicious cheesy flavor. Fresh Basil: the fresh aroma of this peppery-flavored leaf also adds a small hint of mint.

How to Make Spaghetti Sauce

Follow my easy step-by-step instructions below for making homemade spaghetti sauce. You’re going to love this recipe!

Thinner Sauce: For a thinner sauce, that is big on tomato chunks use canned diced tomatoes. Thicker Sauce: Use crushed tomatoes for a smoother sauce that has a thicker base to it. Garlic: You can add more than 5 garlic cloves for added flavor. You can also substitute 1 tablespoon of garlic powder if you dislike the fresh garlic pieces’ texture. Sugar: I think sugar is the secret ingredient because it enhances the tomatoes’ sweetness and balances out the acidity. You may omit the sugar if you prefer. Herbs: Italian seasoning has all the wonderful herbs that add flavor to this sauce, but you may add additional oregano and fresh basil if you’d like to intensify the herbs. Meatless: You can easily leave the meat out of this sauce for more of a marinara-type sauce. If you choose to leave out the meat I suggest using a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes.

In the Refrigerator: Place the spaghetti sauce in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. In the Freezer: This sauce can easily be frozen and saved for later. To freeze the sauce let it come to room temperature before placing it in a ziptop bag or an air-tight storage container. Make sure to include the date. The sauce will last for about 6 months in the freezer.