Published: January 3, 2019Updated: October 9, 2020
This cordial Homemade spaghetti sauce, based on sausage, minced meat and three types of tomatoes, it is perfect on spaghetti or lasagna!
Involuntarily, spaghetti became our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. I think it was about seven years ago that I served lasagna which was great since I made them the night before. But there are only four of us, and it was too much. So next year I made spaghetti and my favorite meatballs, since I always have a batch in the freezer! The next year, though, I just served this homemade spaghetti sauce … and it’s been stuck ever since.
I laugh every year I serve it, feeling like I have to do something special instead. Then, without fail, both boys check me twice that morning: “Mom, you’re making spaghetti with meat sauce, aren’t you?” That’s why I will do it for eternity. Plus it’s so easy, delicious, and not ordinary!
Who knows, maybe this will also become your traditional Christmas Eve dinner. If not, you have another 364 days to enjoy it!
spaghetti sauce
Everyone should have a recipe for homemade spaghetti sauce in their arsenal. I know pot sauce is so affordable, but there’s nothing like homemade sauce.
This is my favorite, perhaps not considered a quick spaghetti sauce, as you really want it to simmer for several hours, which deepens the flavors, but definitely an easy spaghetti sauce. It is also perfect to use as a sauce layer in lasagna!
Ingredients for spaghetti sauce
Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:
- Meat – spicy (or sweet) Italian sausage and lean ground beef. You can double down on one or the other, but the combination of both is fantastic.
- Sweet onion and garlic – a must in Italian cuisine!
- Seasonings – Italian seasoning, kosher salt, pepper and fresh parsley
- Granular sugar – just a little. See note below.
- Tomatoes – tomato paste, diced roasted tomatoes and crushed cherry tomatoes
- Liquid – Chicken broth
How to make spaghetti sauce
Here are the steps to make this sauce. (Scroll down for the detailed printable.)
- Brown the sausage and beef together, breaking them into small pieces. Add the onion and garlic and cook, until pink in any of the meats. Drain the fat.
- Add the sugar and seasonings, then the tomato paste and toss to combine.
- Pour the diced tomatoes with their liquid, the crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth. Mix well until blended; bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for at least 1 hour (ideally 4).
- Use right away, refrigerate for later or freeze on the go!
How long to cook spaghetti sauce? Similar to a beef stew, the longer the sauce cooks, the deeper the flavors will be. If you’re short on time, you can definitely get away with cooking it for a short time, but you really want the sauce to simmer for at least 1 hour and ideally 4.
What is the difference between marinara sauce and spaghetti sauce?
I know they look and smell the same, but marinara sauce is basically a tomato sauce with flavors like herbs and onion, while spaghetti sauce is usually made with meat and vegetables. Then there is also a Bolognese sauce, which usually includes carrots, wine and / or milk. This particular recipe is a kind of cross between all three!
Why use sugar in spaghetti sauce?
Sugar gets such unfair rap these days. You are not the enemy, friends. Sugar, like salt, is a great ingredient that balances food and helps with overall flavor. It is especially needed in a spaghetti sauce to help reduce the acidity of tomatoes.
Can you make spaghetti sauce in advance?
Decidedly! In fact, I advise you to prepare it in advance. Start it in the morning and let it simmer on a low heat for hours. The more it cooks the better!
How long does spaghetti sauce last in the fridge? You can prepare in advance and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
You can freeze the spaghetti sauce? Yup! You can further extend its shelf life by freezing it, covered in an airtight container, for up to 4 months.
What to do with leftover spaghetti sauce
We love the leftover spaghetti sauce and bet there will be some the next day. Here are some great ways to use it:
Other pasta sauces you might like!
See how it is done
Hope you enjoy this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also, don’t forget to follow Belly Full Facebook, Instagram, PinterestAnd Youtube!
The best homemade spaghetti sauce
This easy and hearty recipe for homemade spaghetti, made with sausage, ground beef and three types of tomatoes, is perfect on spaghetti or lasagna!
Portions: 6
ingrediants
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 wide sweet onion, diced
- 5 Cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 spoons granular sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 12 ounces tomato paste
- 15 ounce can diced roasted tomatoes
- 28 ounce can crush tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth
Instructions
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In a large pot or skillet, add the sausage and beef over medium-high heat. With a spoon, break the meat into small pieces. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until the meat is golden and pink. Drain the fat.
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Reduce heat to medium; add sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and parsley. Add the tomato paste and mix to mix.
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Pour the diced tomatoes with their liquid, the crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth. Mix well until blended; bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for at least 1 hour (ideally 4)
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Use right away, refrigerate for later or freeze on the go!
Notes
For tips and information on storage, refer to the article.
Nutrition
Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 28g | Saturated fats: 10g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 1796mg | Potassium: 1467mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1725IU | C vitamin: 34mg | Soccer: 127mg | Iron: 7mg
The nutrition information provided is an automatic calculation and may vary based on the exact products you use and any changes made to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I recommend that you calculate them yourself.
