Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
280 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Description
This recipe starts by sautéing onion and garlic in olive oil, softening their flavors before adding lean ground beef seasoned with kosher salt and black pepper. After the beef is browned, crushed tomatoes with their juices and tomato paste are incorporated along with beef broth, fresh torn basil, and oregano, letting the sauce simmer to meld flavors.
The simmering process allows the sauce to thicken and the herbs to infuse the mixture with a classic Italian aroma. Adding freshly shredded Parmesan cheese before serving enriches the sauce with a subtle salty depth and creamy texture. The combination of these ingredients results in a well-rounded sauce that clings nicely to pasta.
The sauce is versatile to pair with spaghetti noodles or other types of pasta and can be garnished with extra Parmesan, basil, or crushed red pepper flakes for a personal touch. It’s a hearty, satisfying sauce suitable for a variety of meals from casual dinners to more festive occasions.
Substitutions for the ground beef include ground turkey or pork sausage without casing, and broth alternatives can be used. Fresh tomatoes can replace canned for seasonal cooking, and dry herbs can substitute fresh if used thoughtfully. The sauce stores well refrigerated and can be frozen for later use.
Ingredients
- 1 TB olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 6 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 lb ground beef lean
- ½ tsp kosher salt coarse
- ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes with juices, canned
- 3 TB tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 basil torn to small pieces (about 1/2 cup loosely packed, fresh, bunch, leaves
- 1-2 TB oregano depending on taste, fresh leaves
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly shredded
- parsley crushed red pepper flakes, freshly torn basil, parmesan cheese for topping, optional garnish, freshly chopped
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat olive oil on medium-high until smoking. Add onion and garlic, stirring 1 minute until aromatic. Add ground beef, kosher salt (not table salt,) and black pepper. Stir, breaking ground beef up into small pieces, until just cooked through.
- Add tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, beef broth, basil, and oregano. Stir to combine well. Once sauce starts to boil, reduce to a simmer. Cover and continue to simmer 15 minutes.
- Add parmesan, stirring to incorporate. Season with additional salt/pepper if desired. Serve warm over spaghetti noodles or other pasta. Garnish as desired (we love extra parmesan and basil on top!)
Notes
- Ground turkey or pork sausage can replace ground beef; omit salt and pepper when using seasoned pork sausage.
- Beef broth can be swapped with chicken or vegetable broth as preferred.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes peeled and crushed in place of canned tomatoes when they are available for better flavor.
- If using dried herbs, substitute with approximately 1 tablespoon of dried basil and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, adjusting to taste.
- Freeze leftover sauce in airtight containers for several weeks; thaw and reheat before serving.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, or red pepper flakes according to preference.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 280 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 280kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 31.7g | 11% |
| Protein | 26.6g | 53% |
| Fat | 7.4g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.7g | 14% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 79.4mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 476.9mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 6.7g | 27% |
| Sugar | 19.2g | 38% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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