Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is easy to make and perfect over almost any pasta.

Ground beef, Italian sausage, and seasonings are simmered in a zesty tomato sauce and served over pasta for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

pot of Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with a laddle

I use ground beef and Italian sausage for a hearty meaty spaghetti sauce (but you can use one or the other).
You can stretch this sauce even further with extra veggies or canned tomatoes.
Make a double or triple batch; this spaghetti sauce freezes well.
Versatile! It can be enjoyed over spaghetti noodles, lasagna, or zucchini boats.

ingredients assembled to make homemade spaghetti sauce including ground beef, Italian sausage, seasonings, diced tomatoes, carrot, tomato paste, oil, crushed tomatoes, garlic, and onion

Ingredients for Spaghetti Sauce

Meat: I use both ground beef and Italian sausage for flavor, but you can use just one or the other if you’d like. The sausage adds extra flavor, so if you replace it, add extra Italian seasoning.

Veggies: Onion and fresh garlic add flavor, while shredded carrot adds just a bit of sweetness to balance the tang of the tomatoes. Carrot can be replaced with a pinch of sugar.

Tomatoes: This spaghetti sauce recipe uses canned crushed tomatoes for fresh flavor—you can replace it with marinara sauce. Tomato paste adds zest flavor, and diced tomatoes add texture. For a smoother sauce, replace the diced tomatoes with additional crushed tomatoes and simmer a bit longer.

Variations

Replace the carrot with a small amount of sugar or a finely diced red bell pepper.
Other great additions to a homemade spaghetti sauce include green bell pepper, mushrooms, or shredded zucchini.
Add a parmesan cheese rind to the sauce while it’s simmering for some extra flavor!
Fresh herbs add great flavor to this spaghetti sauce recipe. If using fresh basil or parsley, add it right before serving and reserve a little bit for garnish.

sausage, ground beef, and onions in a pot

How to Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This spaghetti meat sauce recipe is easy to make and most of the cooking time is spent simmering.

Brown Italian sausage, beef, onion, & garlic in a skillet or Dutch oven.
Stir in the remaining ingredients & simmer (recipe below).
Season with salt and pepper and stir in fresh herbs if using.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce on top in a white bowl

Tips for Perfect Homemade Pasta Sauce

For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered a bit longer to allow the liquid to evaporate.
Add dry seasonings or spices at the beginning of cooking and fresh herbs at the end of cooking.
Don’t rinse the pasta. When the sauce is added to the noodles, some of the starch in the pasta will thicken the sauce slightly and help it to adhere to the noodles.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freeze leftover spaghetti sauce in an airtight container or a freezer bag for up to 4 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

More Favorite Pasta Sauce Recipes

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ladle scooping homemade spaghetti sauce with text

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This meaty spaghetti sauce recipe is rich and delicious with lots of zesty flavor.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

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In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the beef, sausage, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain fat.
Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, carrot, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper.
Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until thickened.
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Stir in fresh parsley if using.
Serve over spaghetti or cooked pasta.

Carrot: Shredded carrots balance the tart flavor of the tomatoes. Carrot can be replaced with ½ finely diced red bell pepper or a small pinch of sugar. Meat: If substituting Italian sausage for another ground meat such as ground beef or pork, increase the Italian seasoning to 2 teaspoons and add ½ teaspoon oregano and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Consistency: To thicken this homemade spaghetti sauce further, simmer uncovered. Pasta: Do not rinse the spaghetti after draining or add butter or oil to the pasta. The starches in the pasta will help the sauce to cling to the noodles. Freezing: Spaghetti sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Main Course, Pasta, Sauce

Cuisine American, Italian

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meaty Homemade Spaghetti Sauce on spaghetti plated on spaghetti with a title

pot of Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with a title

zesty Homemade Spaghetti Sauce in the pot with writing

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce in the pot and close up in a spoon with a title