Description
This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is a savory, richly flavored classic Italian-style sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, herbs, and spices. Perfectly seasoned and simmered to develop deep, robust flavors, it pairs beautifully with spaghetti noodles and can also be used in various pasta dishes like Spaghetti Pie and Lasagna.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef (or 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage and 1/2 lb ground beef)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (optional)
Tomato and Flavorings
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Serving
- Spaghetti noodles, for serving
Instructions
- Season the Meat: Season the ground beef with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, ensuring the meat is well-seasoned for a flavorful base.
- Brown the Meat and Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the seasoned ground beef and chopped onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are softened, then drain off any excess grease to keep the sauce from being too oily.
- Add Tomato and Seasonings: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, and granulated sugar into the skillet. Mix everything thoroughly to combine the flavors.
- Bring to a Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then add 1 cup of water and stir well to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken nicely.
- Add Fresh Basil and Serve: Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves if using. Serve the sauce hot over cooked spaghetti noodles or use it as a base for other pasta dishes.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute half of the ground beef with ground Italian sausage.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the sauce.
- This sauce freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Feel free to add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers to the sauce for extra texture and flavor.
- The sauce is versatile and can be used in multiple recipes such as Spaghetti Pie, Million Dollar Spaghetti, Slow Cooker Lasagna, and Instant Pot Spaghetti.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
