Easy Sunday Spaghetti Sauce Recipe: Family Fresh Favorite

Crafting an authentic spaghetti sauce brings memories of nonna’s kitchen bubbling with rich, aromatic flavors.

Generations of Italian cooks have perfected this classic recipe through careful techniques and love.

Tomatoes selected with precision become the heart of a truly remarkable sauce.

Simple ingredients dance together, creating layers of deep, comforting taste that warm every corner of your soul.

Robust herbs and slow simmering unlock intense Mediterranean notes that transport you straight to a rustic Italian countryside.

Fresh garlic and ripe tomatoes merge into a symphony of deliciousness that makes store-bought versions feel pale and uninspired.

You can transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this spaghetti sauce recipe. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly and drain any excess fat.

• How can I make the sauce less acidic?

Add a pinch of baking soda or a teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. This helps neutralize the sharp tomato flavor and creates a smoother taste.

• Is it possible to make this sauce vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the ground beef and replace it with additional mushrooms, diced zucchini, or plant-based meat alternatives to maintain the sauce’s heartiness.

Homemade Flavor: Classic Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This homemade spaghetti sauce delivers rich, robust flavors that wrap you in pure comfort food bliss, perfect for satisfying deep hunger cravings.
• Master Culinary Skill: Beginner cooks can confidently create this sauce with simple steps, learning classic cooking techniques while producing a delicious restaurant-quality meal at home.
• Customize Your Feast: Easily adapt the recipe by adding extra vegetables, changing meat options, or adjusting seasonings to match your family's taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Family Gathering Champion: Ideal for weekend dinners, potlucks, or large family meals, this sauce brings everyone together with its classic, crowd-pleasing taste that appeals to multiple generations.

Ingredients for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Ground Beef: A hearty meat that provides rich flavor and substance to the sauce.

• Onion, Green Pepper, Garlic, Mushrooms: A flavor-packed combination that creates a robust and aromatic foundation for the sauce.

• Crushed Tomatoes: The primary sauce base that delivers a fresh, tangy tomato flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Adds depth and thickness to the sauce.
• Tomato Sauce: Enhances the overall tomato profile and provides additional liquid.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.
• Sugar: Helps to cut the acidity of the tomatoes and round out the flavor.
• Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle earthy note to the sauce.
• Oregano, Italian Seasoning: Bring traditional Italian herb flavors to the sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: An optional garnish that adds a fresh, bright element to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth base for cooking and adds a subtle Mediterranean flavor.

How to Cook Authentic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Step 1: Build The Flavor Foundation

In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Toss in ground beef, chopped onions, minced garlic, diced green peppers, and sliced mushrooms.

Sizzle and stir until the beef turns a rich brown and vegetables become tender, which takes about 10 minutes. The kitchen will fill with an incredible aroma that hints at the deliciousness to come.

Step 2: Create Sauce Harmony

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

Stir everything together until the mixture looks smooth and well-combined, creating a symphony of flavors.

Step 3: Let The Magic Simmer

Lower the heat to a gentle setting.

Cover the pot and allow the sauce to slowly develop its rich taste. Let it bubble softly for one full hour, stirring occasionally to prevent any sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Prepare For Serving

Pull out the bay leaf before serving. Ladle this incredible sauce over perfectly cooked spaghetti or your preferred pasta.

For an extra touch of freshness, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top.

Pro Tips for Rich and Flavorful Spaghetti Sauce

• Select high-quality ground beef for richer flavor and better texture in your homemade sauce.
• Finely chop vegetables to ensure even cooking and smooth sauce consistency.
• Adjust seasoning gradually while simmering, tasting and adding more herbs or salt as needed.
• Let sauce develop deep flavors by simmering longer than one hour if time permits.
• Consider freezing extra sauce in portions for quick future meals, storing in airtight containers for up to three months.

Variations to Personalize Your Spaghetti Sauce

• Vegetarian Marinara: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced eggplant for a meat-free version that's packed with flavor.
• Spicy Arrabbiata Style: Add red pepper flakes and extra garlic to create a zesty, hot sauce that brings Mediterranean heat to your pasta.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free tomato products and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Turkey Lighter Sauce: Swap ground beef with lean ground turkey to reduce fat content while maintaining a rich, hearty sauce profile.

Pairing Ideas for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Select Bold Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich tomato and beef flavors, cutting through the sauce's acidity while enhancing its depth.
• Serve Garlic Bread Companion: Create crispy garlic bread with crusty Italian bread, butter, minced garlic, and parsley to provide a crunchy texture that perfectly absorbs the sauce's robust flavors.
• Create Fresh Herb Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with arugula, basil, and balsamic vinaigrette to balance the hearty sauce and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich pasta dish.

Storage Guidelines for Spaghetti Sauce

• Transfer leftover sauce to an airtight container and seal tightly. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is completely closed to maintain freshness.
• Portion sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Flat storage saves space and allows quicker thawing.
• Place sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Heat on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until thoroughly warmed. Add a splash of water if sauce seems too thick.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

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

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Description

Hearty Homemade Spaghetti Sauce brings Italian kitchen magic straight to your dinner table. Rich tomato flavors meld with herbs and slow-simmered goodness, creating a comforting meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Vegetables and Aromatics:

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

Seasonings, Sauces, and Liquids:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 can (28 ounces / 794 grams) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tomato sauce (12 ounces / 340 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature, then introduce ground beef, chopped aromatics, and sliced vegetables.
2. Thoroughly brown the meat while simultaneously softening the vegetable components, ensuring even caramelization for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Incorporate tomato-based ingredients, including paste, crushed and sauce varieties, along with an array of seasonings like salt, pepper, sugar, and herb blends.
4. Blend all components meticulously, creating a harmonious mixture that promises robust flavor profiles.
5. Reduce heat to minimal setting, cover the pot, and allow the sauce to gently develop its complex taste dimensions for 60 minutes.
6. Periodically stir the sauce to prevent potential scorching and promote uniform heat distribution.
7. After cooking duration, extract the bay leaf to prevent unexpected bitter notes in the final preparation.
8. Transfer the rich, aromatic sauce over prepared pasta, ensuring complete coating of noodles.
9. Optional: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley as a vibrant garnish to enhance visual appeal and introduce a subtle herbal brightness.

Notes

• Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for healthier protein alternatives.
• Enhance flavor depth by adding a splash of red wine during the base cooking stage, which intensifies the sauce’s richness and complexity.
• Control sauce thickness by adjusting tomato paste and crushed tomato quantities; less paste creates a lighter consistency, while more creates a thicker, more robust sauce.
• Extend sauce longevity by storing in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in portion-sized containers for convenient future meals.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 204
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 402 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 48 mg