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Spaghetti Sauce from Scratch

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This flavorful spaghetti sauce from scratch is the only spaghetti sauce recipe you’ll ever need! When its fabulous aroma fills your kitchen it’ll bring feelings of happiness knowing you’re preparing a healthy wholesome meal for your family.

Spaghetti sauce from scratch served with thin spaghetti

ABOUT HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe has been passed down from generation to generation. As is natural, it’s been tweaked a little over time to make it even more scrumptious! The cookware I recommend using: a heavy-duty pan such as a cast-iron Staub Universal Pan with lid, or a Dutch oven.

Spaghetti sauce in a Staub Universal Pan

INGREDIENTS FOR SPAGHETTI SAUCE RECIPE

Ingredients for making a flavorful spaghetti sauce from scratch:

  • Lean ground beef
  • Ground Italian sausage
  • Olive oil
  • Yellow onion
  • Celery
  • Green bell pepper
  • Garlic cloves
  • Italian parsley
  • Mushrooms, canned or fresh
  • Crushed tomatoes
  • Tomato sauce
  • Tomato paste
  • Beef broth
  • Apple cider vinegar or red wine
  • Granulated sugar
  • Bay leaves
  • Spices

 

HOW DO YOU MAKE SPAGHETTI SAUCE BETTER?

Elevate homemade spaghetti sauce and take things to the next level. Here’s how to make spaghetti sauce better:

  • Use canned mushrooms instead of fresh. Because they’re packed in water and citrus juices, they have outstanding texture and a touch of tangy citrus flavor.
  • Use ground cloves and apple cider vinegar. This combination provides exciting complex flavors and a distinctive earthy, rustic taste.
  • Taste the sauce throughout the cooking process. If you’re unsure about a spice or other ingredient, add in a portion and then taste the result before adding in the entire amount.
  • Simmer spaghetti sauce a bit longer. This gives the ingredients a chance to reduce and meld together beautifully.
  • Garnish for added flavor! Use Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Homemade pasta sauce garnished with parmesan cheese and Italian parsley.

HOW TO MAKE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Here’s how to make spaghetti sauce from scratch, step by step:

  1. Cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat.
  2. As you brown the meat, use a wooden spatula to break it up into small pieces.
  3. Once the meat is fully cooked, drain off all fat.
  4. With the meat still in the pan, add olive oil, onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic.
  5. Cook the veggies until they’re tender.

Spaghetti sauce in a ladle

HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI SAUCE RECIPE

  1. Add remaining ingredients: parsley, mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, bay leaves and spices.
  2. Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated into the spaghetti sauce.
  3. Bring the spaghetti meat sauce to a light boil.
  4. Cover pan with a lid. Turn heat down to low.
  5. Allow the spaghetti sauce to simmer for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  6. Remove bay leaves from the spaghetti sauce.

Plain noodles shown without spaghetti sauce in a bowl

WHICH PASTA PAIRS BEST WITH SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE?

These are the best pasta pairings for spaghetti meat sauce:

  • Spaghetti, regular or thick
  • Tagliatelle, long flat ribbons of pasta
  • Pappardelle, broad flat pasta noodles
  • Fettuccine, thick flat pasta
  • Mafaldine, ribbon-shaped pasta

Spaghetti meat sauce with pasta in a serving bowl

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COOK PASTA?

  1. Select a large tall pot.
  2. Fill the pot with water: 4 quarts for every pound of pasta.
  3. Salt the water well so it tastes like the ocean.
  4. Bring the water to a boil.
  5. Add pasta to the boiling water.
  6. Stir to separate the pasta and make sure it’s all covered by water.
  7. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions.
  8. Using a colander, drain the pasta well.

Spaghetti meat sauce garnished with Parmesan cheese

HOW TO SERVE HOMEMADE PASTA SAUCE

  1. Transfer drained pasta back to the pot.
  2. Add homemade pasta sauce on top.
  3. With tongs, gently mix everything together.
  4. Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl.
  5. If desired, garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Serving of spaghetti sauce and pasta in a bowl


KITCHEN TOOLS FOR HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Recommended kitchen essentials for delicious homemade spaghetti sauce:

Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce from Scratch

Spaghetti Sauce from Scratch


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Description

This flavorful spaghetti sauce from scratch is the only spaghetti sauce recipe you’ll ever need! When its fabulous aroma fills your kitchen you’ll experience warm feelings of happiness knowing you’re preparing a healthy wholesome meal for your family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 23 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
  • 2 4-ounce cans sliced mushrooms, liquid drained off
  • 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
  • 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 14.5 ounce can beef broth
  • 1/2 cup organic apple cider vinegar or red wine
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 + 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Garnishes: Italian parsley and parmesan cheese
  • 1 pound dried spaghetti

Instructions

  1. In a heavy pan with lid, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. While browning the meat, use a wooden spatula to break it up into small pieces. Once the meat is fully cooked, drain off all the fat.
  2. With the cooked meat still in the pan, add in the olive oil, onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic. Continue cooking until the veggies are tender. Add in the canned mushrooms (drained), Italian parsley, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, sugar, all of the spices and the bay leaves. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Bring the spaghetti sauce to a brief boil, then cover the pot with a lid and dial down the heat to low. Allow the meat sauce to continue to simmer for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Remove the two bay leaves from the pot. If desired, sprinkle the sauce with a bit of additional fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. Serve over spaghetti or your favorite pasta. This homemade spaghetti sauce is also perfect for making lasagna.

Notes

HOW DO YOU MAKE SPAGHETTI SAUCE BETTER?

Elevate homemade spaghetti sauce and take things to the next level. Here’s how to make spaghetti sauce better:

  • Use canned mushrooms instead of fresh. Because they’re packed in water and citrus juices, they have outstanding texture and a touch of tangy citrus flavor.
  • Use ground cloves and apple cider vinegar. This combination provides exciting complex flavors and a distinctive earthy, rustic taste.
  • Taste the sauce throughout the cooking process. If you’re unsure about a spice or other ingredient, add in a portion and then taste the result before adding in the entire amount.
  • Simmer spaghetti sauce a bit longer. This gives the ingredients a chance to reduce and meld together beautifully.
  • Garnish for added flavor! Use Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 150 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Potluck
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: spaghetti sauce, homemade spaghetti sauce, spaghetti sauce from scratch, best spaghetti sauce, homemade pasta sauce, dinner

Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

RECIPES USING LEFTOVER SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE

Spaghetti sauce is very versatile! Here are some delicious recipes using leftover spaghetti meat sauce:

SPAGHETTI SAUCE FROM SCRATCH > PIN IT TO PINTEREST

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Legendary Meat Lasagna Recipe served with a glass of wine.

Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

SPAGHETTI SAUCE FROM SCRATCH > JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Have you ever made spaghetti sauce from scratch? What do you think of this homemade spaghetti sauce? Join the conversation in the comments below!

44 thoughts on “Spaghetti Sauce from Scratch”

  1. Bonjour, vous tes une cuisiniere hors du commun, wa ca cest une sauce a spagetti merci a vous , cest un pur régal chere madame merci A+ angie canada

    Reply
  2. Wow, you hit a home run with these flavor combinations! I used red bell pepper (because that’s what I had on hand), added a little diced carrot, and a splash of red wine (I’m Italian) ;) Quite delicious! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  3. This sauce is absolutely delicious! The family loved it. You need to make this on a day with no rushing to enjoy the prep, and the smell of it simmering on the stove filling your home with wonderful aromas! I served it with a crisp green salad and cheesy garlic bread. Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Hi! This recipe sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try, but I have two questions… First, it sounds like apple cider vinegar really works here, but would red wine work just as well? Also, could I adapt this to a slow cooker if I brown the meat first? I appreciate any input. Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Hello Amanda. Yes, red wine is an ideal substitution for apple cider vinegar. And you can definitely finish the recipe in a slow cooker after browning the meat. More tips: make sure to squeeze out all the liquid from the canned mushrooms before adding them into the sauce. Crush the dried spices between your fingertips to activate the flavor and aroma. If desired, use a bit more olive oil during the cooking process or as a drizzle on top at the end. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Thank you so very much for those tips!! I really appreciate it. If I may trouble you one more time, what would you suggest cooking it on in the slow cooker? 4 hours on high? 6-8 hours on low? Ideally I would like to set it on low and let it slow cook during work hours, but not sure if that would make the sauce dry out or get too thick. Thank you again for your help, I cannot wait to try this.

        Reply
  5. Made this for the first time. It was very good. My gf doesn’t care for spaghetti much, but she ate it all as well as used her roll to clean off her plate. This is a keeper for sure.

    Reply
  6. I have spent a lot of time adding and subtracting from recipes to find the best homemade sauce and just let me tell you how I will NEVER have to do that again!!!! This is the ABSOLUTE BEST spaghetti sauce I have ever tasted! After I added the vinegar and beef broth I was wondering how that might work…GREAT!!!

    Reply
  7. I normally make my spaghetti sauce in 15 minutes using a really quick recipe but over the holiday had more time on my hands so decided to give this one a go… It tasted amazing at the end and now has become one of our weekend meals on rotation.

    Reply
  8. THIS id my new spaghetti sauce recipe. Thank you! It seems so easy to make but mine always turns out tasting like Southwest spaghetti. LOL. My family loved the Italian flavors for a change. :)

    Reply
  9. Oh my this looks so delicious! My mom always made delicious spaghetti sauce but I never had a recipe I could trust. This one has a few secret ingredients I never thought to use. SO good!

    Reply
    • Excellent sauce!!!! Love it and you can make it your “own” with adding different spices and meats! It’s wonderful ❤

      Reply
  10. Confession time, I have never made my own spagetti sauce from scratch before! I have never really been a big fan of spagetti as gorwing up we would have it every single firday night and I just got so fed up of it. FUnny thing is now it is my sons favourite so I find myself having to make it. I am interested to see what the difference in taste is from a jar to homemade, especially this receipe as it has extra ingredients in that aren’t usually in what we use.

    Reply
  11. I am always looking for new recipes to change up my usual recipes. This looks so delicious. I will have to add it to my meal plan for next week. I am sure it will be a big hit.

    Reply
  12. This post is making me crave some spaghetti. The sauce is so important, because it can make or break the pasta. This looks and sounds like a delicious one. Send me some purleezzzz…(not a good cook) ;)

    Reply
  13. Wow this looks so good. I am thinking I need spaghetti for dinner now. I do make my own sauce but, it’s not half as hearty and delicious looking as this. New recipe it is!

    Reply
  14. Your food photography is lovely. And i will bookmark this to try! I am always on the hunt to mix up my recipes! Looks delicious.

    Reply
  15. I love making spaghetti sauce from scratch, though I use fewer ingredients than you do. I’ll have to explore and get more creative! When I’m pressed for time, I dress up a jar pasta sauce to give it more oomph! Semi-homemade is good too, right?

    Reply
  16. Spaghetti is one of my favorite meals. I used to live in Italy and I was making it all the time! So so good! I’m loving this recipe!

    Reply
    • I made this tonight, following the recipe to a T (nearly) I just replaced the beef and sausage with 2 pounds of spicy italian chicken sausage and it was the absolute best spaghetti sauce I have ever had. The apple cider vinegar gives it the perfect zing, while still maintaining an authentic Italian taste. Perfection<3

      Reply
  17. This looks incredible and I love the addition of the spices because I’m a spice freak and love my food spicy and full of flavour and this looks and sounds that it has both. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

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