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Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Robyn Stone

Updated Mar 14, 2024

Easy homemade spaghetti sauce made with simple ingredients and ready in minutes. This classic spaghetti sauce recipe is a family dinner favorite.

Looking for more easy dinner ideas ? I think you’ll love simple ground beef recipes like Skillet Lasagna , Stuffed Peppers , and Classic Chili , and a pasta favorite, my Alfredo Sauce Recipe .

Photo of skillet filled with homemade spaghetti sauce. - 1

Spaghetti sauce is one of those classic recipes that everyone should have a recipe to turn to time and again. This is it for my family! I love how quick and easy it is to prepare while being a versatile recipe based on what I have available in the pantry and refrigerator. If you are looking for the same from a spaghetti sauce recipe for quick and easy weeknight dinners, I think you’ll love this one!

Why I Love This Recipe

Delicious . Ready and on the table in about 30 minutes, yet makes a flavorful, delicious classic spaghetti sauce.
Easy . Such a simple recipe for an easy weeknight meal staple or to make ahead for easy meal prep.
Versatile. I’ve included variations and options that I frequently use to help you make this recipe your favorite!
Meal Prep Favorite. While this is a quick and easy recipe, I also love to make ahead and store in the fridge for meal prep during the week. Make a double batch and freeze to use later!
Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredients
How to Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Storage Tips
Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

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Ingredients

For this easy spaghetti recipe, you’ll need ingredients you will likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator. If not, I’ve included easy variations and options for you.

Ground beef – I think the recipe as written is the perfect balance between a meaty spaghetti sauce and not as meaty sauce. If you prefer a meatier sauce, double the amount of meat in the recipe (as shown in the recipe photographs and video). To make this recipe thinner and even more budget-friendly, reduce the total meat used based on your needs. You can also use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground venison in place of the ground beef.
Sausage – The combination of ground beef and sausage adds so much flavor to the sauce. You can use all ground beef if you prefer.
Onion – Add the diced onion it to the skillet to brown, along with the meat and seasonings. You can also omit the onion or replace it with 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder.
Garlic – the recipe calls for 2 cloves of garlic that have been minced. You can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder or 1/2 teaspoon of granulated garlic in place of the fresh garlic. I also use my Stone House Seasoning in place of the fresh garlic in this recipe quite often to make it even easier.
Seasonings – I like to use Italian seasoning in this recipe. You can use your favorite store-bought or my homemade Italian Seasoning recipe. You can also simply use salt, pepper, and oregano. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for additional spice and flavor if desired.
Tomatoes – I use both crushed and diced tomatoes in my recipe. If you do not have crushed or diced tomatoes, you can use tomato sauce and tomato paste instead. If using tomato paste, you will need to add 1 cup of water and allow the sauce to simmer.
Worcestershire sauce – (Optional) Deepens the flavor of the sauce. I love to use Coconut aminos in place of the Worcestershire sauce.
Sweetener – (Optional) Sometimes, you may need to balance the tomatoes with a little sweetness. You can use a vegetable, such as bell pepper or carrots, that are finely diced and cooked along with the onion. You can also use a tablespoon of granulated sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup.

How to Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Brown the meat and vegetables. Add the meat, onion, garlic, seasonings, and, if using, the bell pepper and/ or carrots to a large skillet or saucepan. Drain away any excess drippings and return the skillet to the stovetop. You can also cook the onion, garlic, seasonings and any other vegetables in a bit of olive oil prior to adding the meat to be browned. This is how the recipe video illustrates the recipe.

Stir in the tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce. Add the tomatoes and stir until combined. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, if using. Taste and, if needed and desired, adjust the seasonings to your tastes and add any sweetener of choice if needed. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add up to a cup of water.

Closeup photo of homemade spaghetti sauce on a wooden spoon. - 5

Cook the sauce and serve. Allow the sauce to reach a boil and just begin to bubble. Reduce the heat to simmer and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve.

I love to serve it with my favorite House Salad and garlic bread for a family favorite meal.

Photo place setting of spaghetti with skillet filled with homemade spaghetti sauce and a wooden spoon in the background. - 6

Storage Tips

To make ahead. Cook spaghetti sauce according to the recipe. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To freeze. Cook according to the recipe and allow to cool. Store in freezer-safe, airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months. To use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the microwave or on the stove until heated, or reheat the frozen sauce in a saucepan until reheated throughout.

Horizontal photo of homemade spaghetti sauce with a wooden spoon. - 7

Equipment

Skillet

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound ground beef
▢ 1/2 pound sausage
▢ 1 medium onion , diced
▢ 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ 2 cloves garlic , minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
▢ 1 (26 ounce can) crushed tomatoes
▢ 1 (14 ounce can) diced tomatoes
▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce , or coconut aminos (optional)
▢ 1 tablespoon granulated sugar , or brown sugar or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

Brown the meat and vegetables. Add the meat, onion, garlic, seasonings, and, if using, the bell pepper and/ or carrots to a large skillet or saucepan. Drain away any excess drippings and return the skillet to the stovetop.
Stir in the tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce. Add the tomatoes and stir until combined. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Taste and, if needed and desired, adjust the seasonings to your taste and add any sweetener of choice if needed. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add up to a cup of water.
Cook the sauce and serve. Allow the sauce to reach a boil and just begin to bubble. Reduce the heat to simmer and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve.

Notes

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy! Robyn xo