Overhead image of a large white pot filled with homemade spaghetti sauce made with onions, ground beef, garlic, and tomatoes.
5 from 7 votes

Best Spaghetti Sauce Recipe - How to Make Spaghetti Sauce

This Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe is so hearty, delicious, and easy to prepare you'll never want to buy the jarred stuff again. Made with simple ingredients like ground beef, onions, and tomatoes, Learn How to Make Spaghetti Sauce right at home and enjoy with pasta or cooked into your favorite recipes like stuffed peppers and lasagna.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time1 hr
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 570kcal
Author: Jessica Randhawa

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 medium yellow onions diced
  • 1 green bell pepper stem removed, seeded, and diced (optional)
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 2-3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt + Pepper to season
  • 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3/4 cup water plus more as needed
  • 1 pound spaghetti noodles cooked according to package instructions

Instructions

  • Brown the ground beef - Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or saucepot set over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef and sprinkle with salt and pepper, to season. Transfer beef to a clean plate and set aside.
  • Cook the onions, bell pepper, and garlic - To the same pot add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and return to medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until soft and translucent, stirring often. Mix in the diced bell pepper and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and stir in the minced garlic. Cook, stirring continuously, for 1 minute.
  • Mix the onions with the tomato paste and seasoning - Add the tomato paste to the vegetables, mixing thoroughly until combined. Add the basil, thyme, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  • Add tomatoes - Stir in the tomatoes, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, water, and return the cooked ground beef back to the pot. Mix well to combine. Bring sauce to a low boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and allow the sauce to simmer for at least 20 minutes.
  • Season to taste - Season with additional salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, or sugar, to taste. Serve with cooked spaghetti noodles or other pasta of choice. Garnish with chopped parsley and shredded parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • This recipe is teriffic with all ground beef or substituted for ground pork, lamb, chicken or turkey.
  • Thin sauce by adding additional water, chicken stock, or even salted pasta water. To thicken sauce stir in more tomato paste 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • Crushed tomatoes vs. tomato sauce
  • As written, this recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free (double check with your Worcestershire sauce to confirm as each brand is different)

Nutrition

Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 564mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 116IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4mg
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