Home > Recipes > Main Dish > The Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
byAshlyn Edwards on Sep 15, 2022 (updated Oct 17, 2023) 270 comments »
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4.94 from 248 ratings
This Homemade Spaghetti Sauceis so easy and delicious, you will never buy the jarred kind again! Try it and you will see why I call it the Best Ever!
For more delicious Dinner Recipes, be sure to check out my Mississippi Pot Roast, Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos, andAir Fryer Meatloaf.
Table of Contents
This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe comes from my mother-in-law, and it is one that I have kept and used ever since she first made it for us.
I love that it is so easy to make, has a delicious rich flavor, and uses real ingredients.
It’s better than any jarred sauce you can find at the store, and there is always plenty left over to freeze for another meal or two in the future.
Ingredients for The Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
- lean ground beef
- onion
- green bell pepper
- garlic
- canned diced tomatoes
- tomato paste
- brown sugar
- Dried spices: oregano, basil, thyme, salt, bay leaf
- water or beef broth
How to Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Step 1: Cook meat and vegetables
In a dutch oven cook meat, onion, green pepper, and garlic until meat is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain off fat.
Step 2: Add tomatoes and spices
Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, oregano, salt, basil, thyme, and bay leaf.
Step 3: Simmer
Stir in the water or beef broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 ½ to 2 hours or until sauce is of desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti.
Tips and Notes for Making The Best Spaghetti Sauce
- Try to use good quality tomatoes if you have access to them. My favorite brand of tomatoes is Tuttorosso tomatoes, Muir Glen, or Pomi tomatoes. I like the Pomi tomatoes because they come in a box rather than a can, which is nice if you’re looking to avoid BPA.
- Don’t skip the brown sugar. Adding a bit of sugar to your homemade spaghetti sauce helps to cut the natural acidity of the tomatoes and helps to balance the sauce.
- For an extra kick, add a sprinkling of red pepper flakes to your sauce. Only add this if you like some spice, though!
- Meat substitutions: you can replace the lean ground beef with ground turkey or pork sausage. You can also leave it out completely for a meatless, vegetarian spaghetti sauce.
- Let it simmer. I like to let my sauce simmer for at least an hour and a half, but longer is better (up to 2-3 hours.) The more time you allow your sauce to simmer, the richer the flavor will be. You can also transfer the sauce to a crockpot after preparing it on the stove and allow it to cook over low heat for a few hours. If your sauce is too thick after cooking, add a little more water to thin it out.
What to do with leftover spaghetti sauce
If you have leftover spaghetti sauce, here are a few ideas to help you put it to good use:
- Make baked meatballs and serve with leftover homemade spaghetti sauce, or turn them into meatball sandwiches.
- Use it for lasagna! We love zucchini lasagna and easy skillet lasagna for busy nights.
- Bake up some garlic bread and use the leftover spaghetti sauce as a dip.
- Stuff it into bell peppers and bake in the oven, or top cooked spaghetti squash with leftover sauce.
FAQs
How long is spaghetti sauce good for in the fridge?
Freshly made homemade spaghetti sauce will last for about 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How to thicken spaghetti sauce?
Tomato paste acts as a flavor enhancer and also a thickener in the sauce. Also, your sauce will thicken as it simmers on the stove. If you’ve given your sauce plenty of time to simmer but would still prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 part cornstarch to 1 part water whisked together; I’d start with 2 Tablespoons of each). Make sure to mix the slurry into your sauce very well to prevent any lumps.
Can you freeze spaghetti sauce?
Yes, and this homemade spaghetti sauce recipe makes enough to freeze leftovers for another meal. To freeze, allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring to a freezer safe container with a lid, or to freezer safe ziplock bags. If using ziplock bags, make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze for up to 6 months. Allow your frozen spaghetti sauce to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove.
Is marinara sauce the same as spaghetti sauce?
Not exactly. While both sauces are tomato based and slow-simmered to develop flavor, marinara sauce is meatless and includes fresh herbs and garlic. Spaghetti sauce usually contains a ground meat like beef, and also includes vegetables like onions, green pepper, mushrooms, etc.
More delicious Pasta Recipes You Should Try!
- One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta
- Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
- Sausage and Peppers Pasta
- Turkey Bolognese
- Baked Feta Pasta
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
4.94 from 248 ratings
Recipe: The Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Yield: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 2 hours hrs
Total Time: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
This Homemade Spaghetti Sauce is so easy and delicious, you will never buy the jarred kind again! Try it and you will see why I call it the Best Ever!
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef or pork sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 large green pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups water, or beef broth
Instructions
In a dutch oven cook meat, onion, green pepper, and garlic until meat is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain off fat.
See AlsoHomemade Spaghetti SauceStir in undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, oregano, salt, basil, thyme, and bay leaf.
Stir in the water or beef broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 ½ to 2 hours or until sauce is of desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti.
Notes
- Try to use good quality tomatoes if you have access to them. My favorite brand of tomatoes is Tuttorosso tomatoes, Muir Glen, or Pomi tomatoes. I like the Pomi tomatoes because they come in a box rather than a can, which is nice if you’re looking to avoid BPA.
- Don’t skip the brown sugar. Adding a bit of sugar to your homemade spaghetti sauce helps to cut the natural acidity of the tomatoes and helps to balance the sauce.
- For an extra kick, add a sprinkling of red pepper flakes to your sauce. Only add this if you like some spice, though!
- Meat substitutions: you can replace the lean ground beef with ground turkey or pork sausage. You can also leave it out completely for a meatless, vegetarian spaghetti sauce.
- Let it simmer. I like to let my sauce simmer for at least an hour and a half, but longer is better (up to 2-3 hours.) The more time you allow your sauce to simmer, the richer the flavor will be. You can also transfer the sauce to a crockpot after preparing it on the stove and allow it to cook over low heat for a few hours. If your sauce is too thick after cooking, add a little more water to thin it out.
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Dish
Author: Ashlyn Edwards | Belle of the Kitchen
Calories: 270kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 682mg, Potassium: 724mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 530IU, Vitamin C: 31.9mg, Calcium: 75mg, Iron: 3.8mg
Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @TheBelleoftheKitchen on Instagram or tag #BelleoftheKitchen.
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originally published on Sep 15, 2022 (last updated Oct 17, 2023)
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270 comments on “The Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce”
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Kathy Dupras — Reply
So sorry! I didn’t see the measurements! Just saw them. Sorry!!
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Kathy Dupras — Reply
I really want to try this sauce, but the recipe doesn’t say how much of each ingredient to use!! Anyone know?!!
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Tamara J Leavitt — Reply
This has been my go to sauce for years now. Everyone always raves about it and asks for the recipe!
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Julie Schatz — Reply
so delicious! I have never made homemade sauce before.
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M Brown — Reply
I am going to try this with San Marzano tomatoes. It sounds so good.
So spaghetti, cheesy garlic bread (sub mayo instead of butter)
Antipasto
Wine.Good for a Saturday birthday dinner, ya’all?
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Ashlyn Edwards — Reply
Most definitely!
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Mary — Reply
My family absolutely loves this spaghetti sauce! It’s simple and quick to put together. It also makes a great sauce for meatball subs.
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Theresa — Reply
Oh my gosh!! This is the best sauce I have ever made. So full of flavors. We just loved it. Thanks for the recipe.
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Dj — Reply
Excellent recipe. I always end up using a full carton of broth for my sauce as I simmer it a long time, and I like to add mushrooms as well. I’ve always used a dash of white sugar in my sauce but I feel the brown is even better.
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K — Reply
Tastes good. Cooking the spaghetti without knowing if 16 oz is too much!!!