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.
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.
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.
HOW TO MAKE SPAGHETTI SAUCE
Here’s how to make spaghetti sauce from scratch, step by step:
- Cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat.
- As you brown the meat, use a wooden spatula to break it up into small pieces.
- Once the meat is fully cooked, drain off all fat.
- With the meat still in the pan, add olive oil, onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic.
- Cook the veggies until they’re tender.
HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI SAUCE RECIPE
- Add remaining ingredients: parsley, mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, bay leaves and spices.
- Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated into the spaghetti sauce.
- Bring the spaghetti meat sauce to a light boil.
- Cover pan with a lid. Turn heat down to low.
- Allow the spaghetti sauce to simmer for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Remove bay leaves from the spaghetti sauce.
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
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COOK PASTA?
- Select a large tall pot.
- Fill the pot with water: 4 quarts for every pound of pasta.
- Salt the water well so it tastes like the ocean.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Add pasta to the boiling water.
- Stir to separate the pasta and make sure it’s all covered by water.
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions.
- Using a colander, drain the pasta well.
HOW TO SERVE HOMEMADE PASTA SAUCE
- Transfer drained pasta back to the pot.
- Add homemade pasta sauce on top.
- With tongs, gently mix everything together.
- Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl.
- If desired, garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
KITCHEN TOOLS FOR HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI SAUCE
Recommended kitchen essentials for delicious homemade spaghetti sauce:
Spaghetti Sauce from Scratch
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
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
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2–3 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
RECIPES USING LEFTOVER SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE
Spaghetti sauce is very versatile! Here are some delicious recipes using leftover spaghetti meat sauce:
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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!
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
★★★★★
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!
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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!
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You’re so welcome.🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of our family’s favorites.
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!!
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!
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.
Fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!
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The only meatsauce recipe I will use… Thank you for sharing it with us!
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Melissa, this makes me so happy! Your sweet comment just made my day. 😄
This is absolutely the best spaghetti sauce that I have ever made. From now on I will make it this way. Just fantastic!
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.
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David, you’ve just made my week! I’m so happy to hear you both loved my family’s favorite spaghetti sauce. Thank you so much for coming back and share your experience with this recipe!
Great sauce homemade sauce
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!!!
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Cheryl, your sweet comment has literally made my day! Thank you so much. I’m over-the-moon happy that you found and made one of my favorite recipes. Often I’ll make a double batch of this scrumptious spaghetti sauce and use half to make what my family calls my “Legendary Meat Lasagna”: https://www.confettiandbliss.com/legendary-meat-lasagna-recipe/
Looks delicious! When cooking it on low, should the lid be completely shut or slightly ajar?
The pictures look great and make me so hungry! I love spaghetti and love to experiment with sauces and different ingredients.
I think it’s awesome as it look like. My daughter is gonna love this. Tha k you for sharing this.
★★★★★
Omg that looks yummmm….I love to add spices and love anything spicy ☺️❤️
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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.
★★★★★
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. :)
★★★★★
This is the BEST spaghetti sauce I’ve ever had and definitely our new favorite! It smells so good when it’s cooking, too!
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!
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I actually rarely make my own spaghetti sauce, but I really should!! This looks so good!!
★★★★★
This looks so good! I love spaghetti so much that I can eat it everyday. I wish I am a good cook and can make this.
This dish is awesome and yummy! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe.
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This spaghetti sauce looks amazing!! I ate spaghetti today and it was no where close to this standard!
★★★★★
Excellent sauce!!!! Love it and you can make it your “own” with adding different spices and meats! It’s wonderful ❤
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It looks so delicious even from the sauce.
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.
I love doing my own spaghetti sauce. I’ll try your own version of it. I bet it’s tasty!
★★★★★
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.
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) ;)
Yum!! My family has never, ever had a jar of spaghetti sauce. Your recipe is similar to mine. Whole, fresh ingredients are always so much healthier and always taste better!!
Oh my goodness I need to try this! I sounds absolutely delicious, much nicer than a sauce from jar for sure! thank you so much for sharing.
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!
★★★★★
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.
Looks yummy! Everyone need to know at least 3-4 recipes to make shapghetti sauces just like this one :)
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?
Oh my gosh, yum. I admit, I always “make” spaghetti sauce from a jar, but I know this is SO much better. If I ever have the patience, I am so doing this.
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!
★★★★★
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
★★★★★
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.
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