Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
251 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Condiments
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Description
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce blends ground beef and Italian sausage as base proteins cooked with diced onion and minced garlic to build savory flavor. The sauce incorporates canned diced and crushed tomatoes with tomato paste, thickening and deepening the tomato essence. Added carrot acts as a natural sweetener to offset the brightness and acidity of the tomatoes.
Herbs including Italian seasoning and dried basil layer in aromatic complexity, while salt and pepper season the sauce to taste. Simmering uncovered allows the sauce to thicken and concentrate, achieving a rich but balanced consistency ideal for coating spaghetti noodles.
This sauce works well spooned onto cooked spaghetti or any pasta, and can be garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired. The meat and vegetable content create a satisfying main course suitable for family dinners.
Carrot can be replaced with finely diced red bell pepper or a pinch of sugar if preferred. The sauce freezes well and keeps refrigerated for several days, making it convenient for meal prep. Avoid rinsing cooked pasta to retain starches that help the sauce cling better to the noodles.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- ½ pound Italian sausage casings removed, or bulk sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes with juices, canned
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup carrot or a pinch of sugar, shredded
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon basil dried
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons parsley optional, chopped, fresh
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the beef, sausage, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain fat.
- Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, carrot, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until thickened.
- Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Stir in fresh parsley if using.
- Serve over spaghetti or cooked pasta.
Notes
- Shredded carrots help balance the tomato acidity but can be substituted with diced red bell pepper or a pinch of sugar.
- When substituting Italian sausage with other ground meats, increase Italian seasoning to 2 teaspoons and add oregano and red pepper flakes for flavor depth.
- Simmer the sauce uncovered to thicken and concentrate flavors further.
- Do not rinse cooked spaghetti to allow sauce to adhere better due to starch retention.
- Refrigerate sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months for convenient storage.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 251 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 251 | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 57mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 691mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 1003mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 1327IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 25mg | 28% |
| Calcium | 95mg | 10% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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