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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
4.9 from 96 votes

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce blends ground beef, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and fresh herbs into a savory, hearty sauce. Sautéed onion and garlic build flavor, while fresh basil and dried oregano add aromatic depth. Parmesan cheese is stirred in at the end, enhancing richness and umami. The sauce simmers until thick with tender onions, creating a satisfying texture that pairs well with cooked spaghetti. This sauce suits home meals where a classic, meat-enriched tomato sauce is desired.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • salt freshly ground
  • black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped (1 cup
  • 3 garlic minced (1 Tbsp, cloves
  • 1 (28 oz) crushed tomatoes recommend Hunt's for best flavor and consistency, canned
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth then more as needed, or water
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup (packed) basil chopped, fresh
  • 3/4 tsp oregano dried
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving, finely shredded
  • parsley for garnish (optional, chopped, fresh

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch (and deep) skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add beef in crumbles, leaving space between them, and let sear on bottom until golden brown, about 3 minutes. 
  3. Then start crumbling beef and continue to cook, tossing and crumbling occasionally until fully cooked through, about 3 minutes longer.
  4. Transfer beef to a large plate lined with paper towels, leave 1 Tbsp rendered fat in skillet (or add 1 Tbsp olive oil).
  5. Reduce skillet heat to medium, add onion and saute 4 minutes. Add garlic saute 1 minute longer.
  6. Stir in crushed tomatoes, water, tomatoes paste, cooked beef, basil and oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  7. Bring to a light boil then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until onions are tender, about 15 - 20 minutes.** Thin with a little more water as needed (or thicken with a little more tomato paste as needed).
  8. Stir in parmesan. Serve warm with cooked spaghetti, garnish with more parmesan and parsley.

Notes

  • Substitute 2 teaspoons dried basil if fresh basil is unavailable, adding more to taste for stronger flavor.
  • Simmering the sauce with a parmesan rind enhances depth of flavor; remove the rind before serving.
  • For extra richness, stir in butter, extra virgin olive oil, or cream at the end of cooking.