From-scratch Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade spaghetti sauce is so easy to make, and packed full of flavor. This meat sauce is made with ground beef, Italian sausage, Italian seasoning, crushed tomatoes, and more. Serve up this spaghetti sauce and never look at jarred sauce again.

Use this homemade tomato sauce for topping spaghetti, using in lasagna or smother your meatballs in the sauce. No matter how you serve it up, its a house favorite.

This Spaghetti Sauce Recipe Is…

• on the table in about an hour. It doesn’t take too long to make this homemade sauce.
• We used two types of meat but you can always use just one type if you prefer.
• House favorite sauce that is picky eater approved!
• Made with canned tomatoes for easy prep.

Ingredients Needed

Full measurements of ingredients for the meat sauce recipe is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a quick view of ingredients.

Tomatoes – The base of a tomato sauce is of course tomatoes. We used crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.

Broth – Chicken or vegetable broth is needed to enhance the sauce.

Onion – White or yellow onion works for this.

Meat – Ground beef and Italian Sausage used, or swap for ground pork.

Garlic Fresh cloves that are minced.

Sugar – The sugar helps counteract the acid in the tomatoes.

Seasonings – Italian seasoning, ground black pepper, salt, and fresh parsley.

Tip: S an Marzano tomatoes are popular for making sauce. They are a plum tomato that offers a sweeter and less acidic flavor. So feel free to use this brand instead of a different brand of tomatoes.

The longer you simmer the meat sauce the richer the flavors will become. Simmer for 1-4 hours on the stovetop. Or you can cook the sauce and then add to a slow cooker, and turn on low for 5-6 hours. This allows for a hands-off approach.

How to Make

Full directions are in the printable recipe at the bottom of the post. This is a visual walk through.

Step 1: Cook Meat and Onions

In a Dutch oven or large skillet you will cook your ground beef and pork. Then add in the diced onions and cook until the meat is no longer pink, and the onions have softened.

Step 2: Add in Spices

Next add in the garlic, and let it cook for a minute. Then you will add in the sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Simmer Tomatoes

Next you will add in the tomato pasta in the pot, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes and broth. Stir well.

Then simmer the meat mixture on medium heat till it boils. Then reduce to low and cover and simmer the sauce.

You can simmer for 45 minutes to 4 hours. The longer the sauce simmers the richer the flavor. Add up to 1 tablespoon of sugar if you need to adjust the flavor.

Storing

Refrigerate any of the homemade meat sauce for up to three days in the fridge. Just place in an airtight container. Or if you want you can freeze the sauce in a freezer bag or freezer sealed container for up to six months.

Reheat the sauce in the microwave or warm it up on the stovetop in a pan. We recommend heating the sauce on low until it is warmed all the way through.

Practical notes

What is the difference between marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce?

While both sauces are tomato based sauces, they do offer a bit of different flavors. Marinara sauce tends to be simple using a few seasonings and fresh basil. Where a spaghetti sauce can have fresh vegetables, more spices, etc.

Can we make the sauce without meat?

You can use this recipe and leave the meat out. For a meatless sauce you will just skip the steps for cooking the meat. Saute the onions and then add in the garlic and other ingredients. Simmer for the same amount of time as you would in the recipe card.

Why should you not rinse spaghetti?

It is important to not rinse spaghetti when you add it to a hot dish. The starches in the hot water is going to allow the pasta to soak up the sauce. So drain the pasta and add the sauce right to the spaghetti noodles.

Want more tasty meals like this spaghetti recipe? Check out these other easy dinner ideas below.

Printable Recipe Card

Ingredients

Makes 12 servings

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage or ground pork
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
• 6 gloves fresh garlic, peeled and minced
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 6 ounce can tomato paste
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 15 ounce can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano (or regular diced tomatoes)
• ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth

Equipment

• Dutch Oven or large skillet
• Wooden Spoon
• Garlic Press
• Meat Chopper

Method

1. In a Dutch Oven or heavy duty pot you will add your beef and sausage and cook until browned all the way through. We use a meat chopper to break up the meat. You will also add in the onion and cook until the onion is softened.
2. Drain off any grease from the meat.
3. Next you will add in the minced garlic and cook for one minute. Then add in 2 tablespoons sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and the parsley.
4. Stir well and then mix in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes along with broth.
5. Bring mixture to a boil, and then reduce the temperature to low and simmer for 45 minutes to 4 hours. The longer you simmer the meat sauce the richer the flavor.

Kitchen notes

Slow Cooker Method

– Cook meat as directed with onions. Then add all the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on low setting for 5-6 hours for a hands off cooking method. Simmer Sauce – You can serve the sauce after 45 minutes of it simmering. But the longer it cooks the richer and deeper the flavor of the sauce. Meat – we used ground beef and Italian sausage, but you can use one type of meat if you prefer. Or swap the Italian sausage with ground pork. Meatless – Leave out the meat if you want a meatless tomato sauce.