Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

A spaghetti sauce recipe is one of the most versatile and well-loved homemade recipes.

Jam packed with flavor, this spaghetti sauce is made with ground beef, Italian sausage, and seasonings to create a rich and zesty sauce.

This sauce is comforting, loved by adults and children alike, and it can be added to so many pasta dishes.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce!

This recipe is so easy to make at home.
Made with sausage and ground beef, this sauce is hearty and filling, add extra veggies like bell peppers if you’d like.
Add extra tomatoes or sauce to stretch this budget-friendly dish even further!
Make a double or triple batch, this spaghetti sauce freezes well for future meals.
Enjoy it over spaghetti or other pasta shapes or use it in a favorite lasagna recipe.

Ingredients for Spaghetti Sauce

Meat – Ground beef and Italian sausage are the meats of choice for this recipe but you can use just one or the other if you’d like. Sausage is extra flavorful so if you skip it, add extra seasonings.

Vegetables – Onion adds flavor while shredded carrot balances out the tang of the tomatoes. If you’d like to skip the carrot you can add either a spoonful of sugar to taste or a chopped red bell pepper.

Other great additions to a homemade spaghetti sauce recipe include green bell pepper, mushrooms, or shredded zucchini.

Sauce – Spaghetti sauce has a base of crushed tomatoes. I add tomato paste for tang and diced tomatoes for texture. If you prefer a smoother sauce, use all crushed tomatoes and simmer a bit longer.

In a Hurry?

Hey, it’s ok… to change it up a little if you’re in a rush!

To save time, brown the meat and onion as directed in the recipe below. Skip the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water and use a jar of pasta sauce or marinara sauce instead. (I still like to add the seasonings and drained diced tomatoes). Simmer for 15 minutes.

sausage, ground beef, and onions in a pot

ingredients for homemade spaghetti sauce in a pot

How to Make Spaghetti Sauce

This sauce is so easy to cook, the family will love it!

Brown Italian sausage, beef, onion, & garlic in a skillet or pot.
Add the rest of the ingredients & simmer (as per the recipe below).
Season with salt and pepper and stir in fresh herbs if using.

Feeling Fancy?

The addition of fresh herbs really makes this sauce next level. Fresh basil or fresh parsley should be stirred in right before serving.

If you happen to have a parmesan cheese rind, add it in while the sauce simmers and discard before serving.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce on top in a white bowl

Tips for Perfect Homemade Pasta Sauce

For a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer on the stove without the lid. This will cause the liquid in the sauce to evaporate.
Add dry seasonings or spices at the beginning of cooking and fresh herbs at the end of cooking.
The carrots add a hint of sweetness to balance the tang of the tomatoes. No carrots? Add a small spoonful of sugar.
Don’t rinse the pasta. When the sauce is added to the noodles, some of the starch in the pasta will thicken the sauce slightly and help it to adhere to the noodles.

Storing Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti sauce will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The best thing about spaghetti sauce is that it is so easy to freeze! Add it to an airtight container (or a freezer bag) and freeze it for up to 3 months.

More Favorite Pasta Sauce Recipes

Did your family love this homemade Spaghetti Sauce? Leave a rating and a comment below!

4.98 from 37 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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This spaghetti sauce is versatile and filled with flavorful and fragrant ingredients.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Cook beef, sausage, onion, and garlic in a large pot or dutch oven until no pink remains. Drain fat.
Stir in the remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until thickened.
Taste and season with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh parsley if using.
Serve over spaghetti or cooked pasta.

*Shredded carrots add sweetness to balance the tart flavor of the tomatoes. If you don’t have carrots, you can add a diced red bell pepper or add a small pinch of sugar. Water is added to this recipe to allow the flavors to blend as it simmers without thickening too much. It can be replaced with beef broth or beef stock. If substituting Italian sausage for another ground meat such as beef or pork, bump up the seasonings a little bit and add ½ teaspoon oregano and a pinch of red pepper flakes. To thicken spaghetti, let it simmer uncovered until the liquid evaporates. Do not rinse the pasta after draining. The starches in the pasta will thicken the sauce slightly and help it stick to the noodles! Spaghetti sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

4.98 from 37 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Main Course, Pasta, Sauce

Cuisine American, Italian

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