Nothing beats homemade spaghetti sauce 🍅❤️ — cozy, rich, and way better than a jar. Here’s a classic, from-scratch sauce that’s easy, flexible, and tastes like it simmered all day.
Classic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1½ tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add onion; cook until soft (5–7 minutes).
Add garlic; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. - Brown the meat (optional)
Add ground beef or sausage. Cook until browned. Drain excess fat. - Build the sauce
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. - Season & simmer
Add basil, oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer 30–60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Longer = deeper flavor. - Finish
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Add fresh herbs at the end if using.
Pro tips 🍝
- Simmer uncovered to thicken naturally
- A Parmesan rind simmered in the sauce adds incredible depth
- If sauce is too acidic, add a small pat of butter instead of more sugar
- Blend briefly if you like a smoother sauce
Variations
- Vegetarian: Skip meat, add mushrooms or lentils
- Rich & hearty: Add a splash of red wine while simmering
- Slow cooker: 6–8 hours on low (brown meat first)
If you want, I can give you:
- A 5-ingredient quick sauce
- A slow-simmer Sunday sauce
- Or a freezer-friendly batch recipe
Just tell me 😄
