Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Updated
Updated
This hearty Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, made with sausage, ground beef, three kinds of tomatoes, and wonderfully seasoned is perfect over spaghetti or in lasagna!
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5 STAR REVIEW
Everyone should have a go-to homemade spaghetti sauce recipe in their arsenal. I know jarred sauce is so convenient, but there’s just nothing like homemade sauce. This is my favorite, made with a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, three different types of tomatoes, wonderful aromatics, and perfect seasonings.
Maybe not considered a quick spaghetti sauce, since you really want it to simmer for several hours which deepens the flavors, but definitely an easy spaghetti sauce. It’s perfect for piling on top of spaghetti, used as the sauce layer in lasagna, or just mopped up with some garlic bread. It also freezes beautifully, so you can always have some on hand.
And for days you’re not in the mood for a red sauce, try our popular alfredo sauce or pesto sauce.
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 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, (see note)
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley
- 12 ounces tomato paste
- 15 ounce can diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
Instructions
- In a large pot or pan, add in the sausage and beef over medium-high heat. Use a spoon to break up the meat into small pieces. Add in the onion and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until the meat is browned and no pink remains. Drain off the grease.
- Reduce heat to medium; add in the sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley. Add in the tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their liquid, crushed tomatoes, and chicken (or beef) broth. Stir well until combined; bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 1 hour (ideally 3.)
- Use right away, refrigerate for later, or freeze for down the road!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!Tips and Possible Variations
- Don’t omit the sugar. Sugar, like salt, is a great ingredient that gives balance to food and helps with overall flavor. It is especially needed in a spaghetti sauce to help cut the acidity from the tomatoes. Keep in mind, it’s only a small amount for an entire pot of sauce.
- The combination of sausage and ground beef provide the best flavor. Hot, mild, or sweet Italian sausage and lean ground beef together makes the best sauce. You can double up on one or the other, but the combination of both in awesome.
- Broth. I replace water with broth for way more flavor. I typically use chicken broth or my homemade chicken stock because I always have it on hand, but beef broth is great too, of course, which matches up with the ground beef.
- A low and slow simmer. Similar to a beef stew, the longer the sauce cooks, the deeper the flavors. If you’re in a pinch for time, you can certainly get away with cooking it for a short time, but you really want the sauce to simmer for at least 1 hour, and ideally 3 or 4.
- Crockpot. I personally have never tested this sauce in the slow cooker, but there a several reviews from others who have with good results.
What Is The Difference Between Marinara Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce?
I know they look and smell the same, but marinara sauce is basically tomato sauce with aromatics such as herbs and onion, whereas spaghetti sauce is usually made with meat and vegetables. Then there’s also a Bolognese sauce, which usually includes carrots, wine and/or milk. This particular recipe is sort of a cross between all three!
What To Do With Leftover Spaghetti Sauce
We love leftover spaghetti sauce and bank on there being some the next day. Here are a few great ways to use it:
- Make some homemade garlic bread instead of pasta and mop up the sauce with it!
- Top some roasted spaghetti squash with it for a delicious low-carb option.
- Swap out some of the ingredients in this American Goulash recipe for a scoop or two.
- Use it to make lazy day lasagna or skillet lasagna.
Proper Storage
- Can spaghetti sauce be made in advance? Definitely! In fact, I recommend making it in advance. Start it in the morning and let it low simmer for hours. The longer it cooks, the better!
- How long does spaghetti sauce last in the fridge? It can be made ahead and kept refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
- Can you freeze spaghetti sauce? Yep! You can further extend its shelf life by freezing it, covered in an airtight freezer-safe container, for up to 4 months.
More Pasta Sauces To Try:
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
This truly is the best hands down! I make as written, but add. I use lanko granulated monk fruit in place of the sugar and half the amount. I add diced green bell pepper, mushrooms and a bit of ground red pepper for a slight heat. Chef’s kiss!!!!
The search for the best and most flavorful spaghetti sauce ends with this. I’m not looking anymore. It is so yummy. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m not typically one to write reviews, but this recipe deserves all the rave. Something so delicious and so simple to make with room for ways to spice it up the way you prefer. HOWEVER, it is truly perfect the way it is written! This makes 2 batches of sauce for my 4-person family. I freeze the other half and use it when needed (typically just adding broth to thin it out when in the pot). Love, love, love this recipe and find myself referring to it monthly.
Amy, this was a fantastic sauce! I’ve made “my” sauce for years and thought it was the best. I discovered tonight that I was wrong. Yours is definitely the best! Served it to my husband, brother and sister-in-law tonight and we all gave it great reviews! Simmered for about 4 hours and it was absolutely delish. Enough for 4 big eaters with a bit leftover. We really enjoyed it. Thank you!
As a vegetarian, my family gets ripped off a lot when I make spaghetti. I usually just use a very good jarred marinara sauce and call it good. I decided to treat them to this one after watching your video! What a hit! I started early and let it simmer all day. I used a 16oz package of spaghetti noodles. Served 2 adult men with hearty appetites in my house. One went back for 2nds. (I ate plain noodles and was ok with that, haha) but I was able to freeze leftover sauce for at least 4 more servings, took a plate over to my 88 yr old mother in law, and have a serving in the fridge for my son’s lunch! What a way to stretch the budget. Recipe is clear and I followed it to a T. Will definitely make this again when I’m not being lazy!
Absolutely delicious recipe. My new favourite. Thank you.
Best ever
This is my definite go-to recipe for spaghetti sauce and I’ve been asked for the recipe more than once. It makes 6 hearty servings! Delicious!!!
Delicious! Everyone who has had this at my house loves it!
Afternoon Amy .. just wondering what’s the tin of fire roasted tomatoes.? . we don’t have those here in Australia… just add another can of tomatoes? Thank you .. looking forward to try this recipe
Hi Wendy – canned fire roasted tomatoes deliver a smoky, robust flavor that elevates the flavor of this sauce. I typically use Muir Glen, but there are many different brands. If they’re not available to you, yes, use an equal amount of canned diced tomatoes, but you’ll need extra seasoning.
This is our families favourite spaghetti recipe. I will sometimes add red or green pepper and I use coconut sugar instead of white sugar.
It freezes well, but usually there is never left overs.
I have been looking for a recipe that was similar to my mom’s for awhile and this comes as close as I ever gotten. The only thing I did different was to add a stick of butter to it because I know that my mom always added that to hers! Thanks, this will be made over and over!
I can honestly say this is one of the better recipes for a great sauce for spaghetti or pasta! Definitely love the 2 meat combo that gives this an extra push in flavor! I did make a couple minor changes, I used pasta water to thin out the sauce a bit. After cooking for 3 hours it was really thick. Also added half a jar (less than a cup) of a spicy marinara sauce from Trader Joe’s to give it a slight boost! This dish came out so good there were NO LEFTOVERS! Everyone loved it and asked to have it again! Thanks for a great recipe!
Best meat sauce ever. WOW.
I have made this on many occasions. It is delicious. In the original recipe did it call for hot, mild or sweet sausage?
This is my original recipe. You can use hot, mild, or sweet sausage depending on your personal preference. They’re all good!
I made this in the crock pot…..turned out yummy
Best I’ve ever had and it’s easy to make! My future daughter in law wants to have it at their wedding.
This sauce has been a hit in my family for years. I do let it simmer in a crockpot for hours (usually AT LEAST four hours). Turns out amazing every time, so don’t be afraid to transfer it to a crockpot and let it go for hours!
The best Spaghetti Sauce I ever ate. I make it all the time.
I loved this recipe so much. Can you substitute ground turkey for the ground beef? Thank you in advance…
Yep!
I love this recipe. Would ground turkey with the sweet Italian sausage be a good substitute for hamburger?
I don’t like that combination as much, but yes, it will still work out fine. Enjoy!
Fantastic! I actually let it simmer for 6 hours this Sun afternoon. It smelled so good as it simmered and we loved it! I made it exactly as stated except I used minced garlic from a jar and dried parsley since it’s what I had on hand. This will be my new go to for sauce! Thank you for sharing!
Have made this recipe multiple times. It is my family’s favorite spaghetti sauce. The adults like it as well as the children. Made it according to the recipe.
This recipe is fantastic, I do the recipe just how it is but I also add a 15oz can of tomato sauce to it to thin it out a bit because it is a very thick sauce. I also add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper for a little kick.
Best ever spaghetti sauce I have ever had! I have made 3-4 times and share with my neighbor as we both live alone. I always have enough to freeze. I wash, and scald, 2 mason quarts jars with caps and rings. I fill jars, leaving head room. Put on seal and rings then turn upside down. When cold, I put in freezer. Thaw in fridge. Better than first made.
Perfect thick spaghetti sauce and have made several times. Used sweet Italian sausage as what I had on hand this time. Also put in the crock pot, on high for a few hours and then to low/warm depending on meal time. Go to recipe for spaghetti sauce and freezes well!
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made this, so I thought it was time for a review. It’s a delicious thick sauce with the perfect balance of flavors. We prefer mild sausage instead of hot, but otherwise I make it as written. It makes a LOT, so there’s plenty to go in the freezer.
Can this be made in a crock pot
I’ve never done that, but I can’t see why not. Maybe start it on the stove as instructed and then transfer to the crockpot for a few hours on low? Try it.
My family loves this sauce!! I always make it in the crock pot- I cook the meat, onion and garlic on the stove top and then put it in the crockpot with all the other ingredients. I’ll start it in early afternoon and let it sit in the crock pot on low until dinner!
I love this recipe. It is my go to spaghetti sauce. I am a foodie and love researching new recipes
Do you simmer the sauce covered or uncovered?
Uncovered.
3rd time making this… its soooo good!
Loved this recipe, will now be my go too recipe for spaghetti.
I’ve tried dozens of spaghetti sauce recipes over the years and this one will be the last. Far superior to anything else. WOW.
I have never had a recipe for my home made spaghetti sauce, and I’ve been making it for over 55 years, but Amy your recipe is right in line with what I use in my sauce, with the exception of the sugar, the only exception is I add chopped green peppers to my sauce I cook them with the onions and garlic. This is the way my mom made it and she taught me. We never measured anything, Because my family is grown and gone I now make a large pot of red sauce. I just don’t add any spices. I freeze this in 1 to 2 portions. This way I can decide if I want chili con carne, spaghetti sauce, etc. by adding the spices, beans etc. at another time. Very cost effective for me!
FANTASTIC!!! This was moanable delicious! I had to tell my husband to stop telling me how good it was and just eat it!!! I didn’t have fire roasted tomatoes but used diced tomatoes with a pinched of smoked paprika as suggested in an earlier post Thank You!
This sauce was amazing and so easy, ready in about 20min..
Doubled the recipe, just beef no sausage, added 1/2 can beef broth, Delicious! For sure, a keeper.
This is now my go-to sauce. I cannot imagine making pasta with store bought sauce ever again. My family loves it!
This is definitely my new go to!!!
This is the second time I’ve made this spaghetti sauce and it’s the only recipe I’ll use going forward – it’d delicious! The one sub I make is instead of sugar, I add a couple of glugs of pure maple syrup – it adds a little extra depth. Thanks for a great recipe!
Love this sauce! I like to put it on low in slow cooker.
This will be my go to sauce from now on.
This was very very good everyone went for seconds which had never happened before
Absolutely DELICIOUS. And so easy! This is definitely my new go-to recipe for spaghetti sauce.
We have been on the hunt for a spaghetti sauce that rivals Olive Garden. I think we have found a winner. This was so good. The only “tweak” I did was a add a bit more (1/2 cup) beef broth because after simmering it was really thick. This is a KEEPER!
My favorite “go to” !!! This spaghetti is delicious. I often tweak a little to use what I have in hand and it’s always turned out so tasty! Our girls love it!
Oh so can’t wait to make this!!! I will add a touch of red wine & fresh basil ?
Would it work to use a 15oz can of tomato sauce instead of the diced tomatoes.
Sure. Keep it mind, it will change the consistency of the sauce and alter the flavor a bit, but it certainly won’t ruin it.
After the meat, onions and garlic get their time in the skillet, would it be okay to finish in a crock pot on high, for say, 6 more hours?
Hi Patrick! I’ve never tested the sauce cooked this way, so I can’t vouch for results, but you could try it. Maybe add a touch more broth to avoid it drying out and cook on low, not high.
We love this recipe! I’ve made it a few times and love that I can put it together after work or have it simmering throughout the day.
Nicely Done – Thank You!
This is an excellent base recipe to play with or Fantastic just as written.