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The Ultimate Guide to Making Homemade Spaghetti Sauce: A Hearty Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe

homemade spaghetti sauce

classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce recipe is a comforting and hearty dish that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Made with a rich, flavorful sauce featuring Italian sausage, ground beef, and a blend of tomatoes, it’s simmered to perfection and served over a mound of cooked spaghetti. The recipe is simple to follow, and the result is a delicious, satisfying meal that everyone will love. Plus, I’ve included tips and nutrition information to help you make the most of this dish!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (hot, mild, or sweet)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 large sweet onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley
  • 12 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
  • 1 pound spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat:
    In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the Italian sausage and ground beef over medium-high heat. Use a spoon to break the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook until the meat is browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Season the Sauce:
    Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley. Stir in the tomato paste until well combined.
  3. Add Tomatoes and Broth:
    Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their liquid), crushed tomatoes, and chicken or beef broth. Stir well to combine.
  4. Simmer the Sauce:
    Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. For the best flavor, simmer for 3 hours.
  5. Cook the Spaghetti:
    While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  6. Serve:
    Serve the meat sauce over a mound of cooked spaghetti. Garnish with additional fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Sugar: The sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. You can use granulated sugar or brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • Simmering Time: The longer the sauce simmers, the richer the flavor. If you’re short on time, 1 hour is fine, but 3 hours is ideal.
  • Crockpot Option: You can transfer the sauce to a slow cooker after browning the meat and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Storage: The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition