Yes, this really is the BEST Homemade Spaghetti Sauce! Once you make this robust meat sauce you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff again. It’s got the perfect amount of tomatoes, herbs, seasonings and beef to really hit the spot!
Enjoy the very best spaghetti dinner with more easy recipes like Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce, Spaghetti and Meatballs and Chicken Spaghetti.
Table of Contents
- Why we love this Spaghetti Sauce Recipe:
- Spaghetti Sauce Ingredients:
- How to make Spaghetti Sauce:
- Variations and Substitutions
- Can I make it in the crockpot?
- How to store Spaghetti Sauce
- Can I freeze Spaghetti Sauce?
- Serving suggestions:
- More Italian Dinner Recipes You’ll Love!
- Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce recipe Recipe
In my house, we’re pretty much always in the mood for pasta! Specifically, spaghetti with meat sauce. This is one of my go-to dinner recipes that never fails to hit the spot – it’s filling, flavorful, and made from scratch with lots of love.
Whether this is your first time making spaghetti sauce from scratch, or you’re just looking for some new ideas, I got you.
This recipe is made in just one pot with a handful of bold ingredients! This sauce recipe requires just 10 minutes of prep, and after that it all just melds together in under an hour.
You can also customize this recipe in a number of ways. Scroll down to my variations section for some inspiration! Consider this spaghetti meat sauce as a base that you can build off of however you’d like.
Why we love this Spaghetti Sauce Recipe:
- One Pot: Yes! One pot recipes truly are the best. Easy to make and even easier to clean up when you’re done!
- Meaty: Both ground beef and Italian sausage make each bite deliciously hearty and filling.
- Classic: You won’t find any unnecessary frills here. It’s just a classic meat sauce that always hits the spot on spaghetti night!
- Hassle Free: Life is busy! This hassle free recipe requires just 10 minutes of fail-proof prep work on your part.
Spaghetti Sauce Ingredients:
- Ground Beef and Sausage: You can use any kind of ground meat in this spaghetti sauce recipe, including ground turkey or chicken. If you swap out the Italian sausage, you’ll want to supplement with additional herbs and spices.
- Crushed Tomatoes: I like smooth crushed tomatoes in my spaghetti sauce. For a chunkier texture you can use diced tomatoes instead, or half of each.
- Onion: A yellow or white onion will both get the job done.
- Sugar: You can omit this if you want. Just note that the purpose of this ingredient in spaghetti sauce is to balance the acidic tomatoes.
- Garlic: Add more or less according to your level of garlic love!
- Salt and Pepper: You can add more or less to taste. I recommend starting small and adding more as needed.
- Herbs: I use a blend of Italian seasoning, dried parsley and dried oregano to create the very best herbaceous flavor.
How to make Spaghetti Sauce:
Take a quick look at just how easy this one pot spaghetti sauce recipe really is! For more information on the step by step instructions, just scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Heat a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, Italian sausage and onions. Cook until browned and onion is translucent.
- Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, parsley, oregano, and pepper.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and water or broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover, reduce heat and simmer until the flavors come together — the timing is flexible here! If you can let it go a little bit longer, it will be even more flavorful.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it meatless: instead of ground meat, you can sauté some finely chopped carrots, celery and other vegetables with the onion, then add the rest of your sauce ingredients and simmer. You’ll have a hearty, meatless meal that’s full of nutrients!
- Herbs and seasonings: Feel free to get creative! If it’s summer and fresh herbs are in abundance, definitely swap those in for a boost of flavor.
- Make it spicy: Mix in some crushed red pepper flakes to really turn up the heat!
Can I make it in the crockpot?
Absolutely!
This recipe is inspired by my Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce recipe, so you can find all the details over there.
How to store Spaghetti Sauce
Store any leftover spaghetti sauce you may have in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
Can I freeze Spaghetti Sauce?
Yes! This is a great freezer-friendly recipe. Let the sauce fully cool to room temperature prior to freezing in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve it, let it slowly thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours prior to reheating.
Serving suggestions:
Serve your spaghetti dinner with a number of different sides! If you want to lighten up your plate with a veggie, try Air Fryer Broccoli or Cheesy Baked Asparagus. Air Fryer Green Beans are another favorite!
Of course, Garlic Bread and Cheesy Garlic Bread always pair perfectly with a heaping pile of spaghetti! You could even serve this sauce with my 3 Ingredient Boursin Pasta for a decadent twist.
For the full restaurant experience, finish your meal with my favorite Easy Tiramisu (and thank me later)!
More Italian Dinner Recipes You’ll Love!
- Easy Lasagna Recipe — my favorite make ahead meal!
- Slow Cooker Baked Ziti — an easy one for busy weeknights.
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan — perfect over some spaghetti!
- Baked Ravioli — another easy one for making ahead.
Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce recipe
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or 4-5 sausages, casings removed)
- 1 onion (finely diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes (798 ml)
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef, Italian sausage and onion. Cook, stirring often, until browned and onion is translucent. If there is a lot of excess fat, drain it or use a paper towel to soak it up and discard.
- Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, parsley, oregano, and pepper and cook 2 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and water or broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the flavors come together. Taste, adjust seasonings as desired (add sugar and fresh parsley if needed), and serve.
Notes
- Ground Beef and Sausage: you can use any kind of ground meat in this spaghetti sauce recipe, including ground turkey or chicken. If you swap out the Italian sausage, you will want to add additional herbs and spices.
- Herbs and Seasonings: this is an easy recipe to customize to your tastes, so add more or less of the seasonings as you see fit.
- Crushed tomatoes: I like smooth crushed tomatoes in my spaghetti sauce, but for a chunkier texture you can use diced tomatoes instead, or half of each.
- Tasty additions: want to add a little pop of flavor? Try a spoonful of basil pesto, a parmesan rind or some red chili flakes.
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Lynn says
Can you make this is the crock pot? What would be the cooking time?
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely! I recommend following this cooking method: https://www.thereciperebel.com/slow-cooker-spaghetti-sauce/
Taylor says
I want to try this recipe but only with ground Turkey! What if I only use 1lb of ground Turkey. Do I just cut the recitin half?
Taylor says
Recipe **
Ashley Fehr says
Yes you would cut the rest in half
Virginia Hofer says
I would recommend one bay leaf. I tried many recipes and didn’t find one my family liked until I added the bay leaf. I also add Italian seasoning and garlic. By the way, I don’t use bay leaf in any other Recipe.
Another tip I use. I don’t add any sugar. I add from 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. It will make the tomatoes foam up for a few minutes, but the foaming is the soda cutting the acid in the tomatoes in. If you taste the sauce before the soda and then taste it after it will taste like you added sugar but without the extra calories or carbs.
Sheryl says
Have you ever tried canning this recipe? I believe it needs to be pressure cooked
Ashley Fehr says
Sorry, I don’t have any experience with canning meat!
Vickie Tallman says
In your photo you show a measuring cup full of water but in the recipe ingredients you mentioned beef broth. Which is it?
Ashley Fehr says
The recipe ingredients mention water or beef broth
Julianna says
CENTO brand, not Cents
Paula says
Why bother with a recipe when you completely modify it?
Marc says
I used Ground Turkey and Ground Italian Pork Sausage. There is so much flavor in the sauce. P. S. I also used 9 Cloves of Garlic. I highly recommend using this much. I also added Mushrooms.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for sharing!
Gail Russell says
Great recipes
Cory grafstein says
Quite good love the fact that it’s easy to make I let it simmer for over an hour to meld the flavors and serve with garlic bread and a you can serve it with a deep red such as a barolo..
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Cory!
Kris says
What meat is Italian sausage, is there any spices inside the sausage?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, it is pork with lots of spices and herbs added in
Stuart Hall says
Italian sausage is made of pork, with Italian seasoning, garlic, fen el seed and red pepper flakes.
Cheryl says
are you using super lean meat maybe 90/10? I ask because I don’t see a step to drain off fat from meat after browning.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes I do use lean or extra lean whenever possible.