Description
A rich and flavorful homemade spaghetti sauce made with crushed tomatoes, herbs, and savory spices. This versatile Italian classic can be prepared with or without meat, simmered to perfection on the stovetop, and served over your favorite pasta for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
Optional Meat Addition
- ½ lb ground beef or Italian sausage, browned and drained
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5–6 minutes until soft and translucent, which helps develop a sweet, mellow flavor base.
- Add Garlic and Meat: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. If using meat, add browned and drained ground beef or Italian sausage now and cook thoroughly, mixing well with the onions and garlic.
- Add Tomatoes and Paste: Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly for a hearty tomato base.
- Season the Sauce: Sprinkle in sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little heat, and add the bay leaf. Stir in fresh or dried parsley for added aroma and flavor.
- Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer allows flavors to meld beautifully and thickens the sauce to a perfect consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the sauce hot over cooked spaghetti or your pasta of choice. Garnish with fresh basil or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- This sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months, making it great for meal prep.
- For extra flavor and texture, add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers along with the onions.
- To keep it vegetarian, simply omit the meat or replace it with plant-based alternatives.
- The sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, but feel free to adjust to your taste.
