Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

There’s no need to purchase store-bought sauce, with this hearty and flavorful Homemade Spaghetti Sauce. Simple ingredients such as ground beef, onion, garlic, and spices of oregano and basil bring a bold flavor to this simple sauce.

This recipe is extremely simple. If you like easy Italian-inspired sauce that you can make at home then you need to try this Bolognese Sauce or this Alfredo Sauce recipe!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade spaghetti sauce is a classic recipe that can be prepared quickly and one everyone will love. This simple sauce is not only nostalgic but classic for a good reason. You’ll love the flavorful tomato base and the combination of the beef and sausage. And to make it even better, it’s finished off with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. My family can not get enough of it!

It’s the perfect spaghetti sauce to use in multiple recipes. Make a big batch and use it in recipes like this sheet pan lasagna, rigatoni, or this easy spaghetti pie!

Ingredients in Spaghetti Meat Sauce

Everyone has their favorite recipe, but the best sauces are often the most basic. Use simple ingredients to make this delicious homemade spaghetti sauce.

• Olive Oil: choose a high-quality olive oil to brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic. This will only add to the flavor.
• Ground Beef: the type of ground beef is entirely up to and you can also switch out the ground beef for ground sausage.
• Yellow Onion: the onion brings a mild bite to the sauce which is a key flavor in spaghetti sauce.
• Garlic Cloves: these minced cloves bring the most powerful flavor that is so common in Italian recipes. Using freshly minced garlic will also bring about the best flavor.
• Tomato Paste: adding the tomato paste helps to thicken the sauce, but it also brings a strong flavor that is heightened when stirred in and cooked after the onions and garlic are cooked.
• Diced Tomatoes or Crushed Tomatoes: for a smoother sauce use crushed tomatoes and for a chunkier sauce go with diced tomatoes. Either one makes a delicious sauce.
• Water: this helps to bring the sauce together and you may use more or less to thicken or thin it.
• Sugar: This helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes with a little sweetness.
• Worcestershire: The umami flavor this brings to the sauce makes the meatiness deeper and more complex.
• Italian Seasoning: this classic spice adds a peppery flavor to the sauce.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adding parmesan cheese is optional, but strongly suggested for that delicious cheesy flavor.
• Fresh Basil: the fresh aroma of this peppery-flavored leaf also adds a small hint of mint.

How to Make Spaghetti Sauce

Follow my easy step-by-step instructions below for making homemade spaghetti sauce. You’re going to love this recipe!

1. Brown the Meat: Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage and cook until no pink remains, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and drain the fat, except for a couple of tablespoons you may leave in the pan.
2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Add the remaining olive oil and the onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until the onions turn translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until the garlic is very fragrant.
3. Add the Cooked Meat and Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute. Once the tomato paste becomes fragrant, add the meat and the remaining ingredients except the parmesan cheese and basil. Cook until boiling. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
4. Stir in Cheese and Basil: Stir the parmesan and basil into the finished sauce and serve over your choice of noodles.