Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Are you tired of store-bought spaghetti sauce that lacks flavor and freshness? Look no further! In this blog post, I’ll share with you my family’s favorite homemade spaghetti sauce recipe that’s bursting with savory flavors and made with love from scratch.
Introduction
There’s something incredibly satisfying about cooking a meal from scratch, especially when it comes to classic Italian dishes like spaghetti. This homemade spaghetti sauce is a labor of love, simmered to perfection with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy family dinner or hosting a gathering with friends, this recipe is sure to impress even the pickiest eaters.
Who This Recipe Is For
This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is perfect for anyone who appreciates the rich flavors of a classic Italian pasta sauce. It’s ideal for busy individuals or families looking for a quick and easy dinner option without compromising on taste. Even beginner cooks will find this recipe approachable and rewarding.
Why It’s Great
- Fresh Ingredients: Made with real ingredients like lean ground beef, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and green peppers, this sauce is bursting with natural flavors.
- Customizable: Feel free to adjust the seasonings and spices to suit your taste preferences. Add more garlic for extra zing or increase the amount of Italian seasoning for a bolder flavor profile.
- Versatile: This sauce pairs perfectly with any type of pasta, from spaghetti and linguine to penne and rigatoni. You can also use it as a base for other Italian dishes like lasagna or baked ziti.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare a batch of this sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer for later use. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
To make this homemade spaghetti sauce, you’ll need the following kitchen equipment:
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Garlic press
- Cooking spoon or spatula
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious spaghetti sauce:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (28oz can)
- 1 can tomato sauce (12oz can)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef, onions, garlic, green peppers, and mushrooms. Cook until beef is browned and vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, bay leaf, oregano, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve with cooked spaghetti noodles or your favorite pasta. Top with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
FAQ
Can I make this sauce vegetarian? Yes, simply omit the ground beef and use additional vegetables like diced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant for a hearty vegetarian version.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned? Absolutely! You can substitute fresh tomatoes for canned tomatoes. Use about 2-3 pounds of fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped, in place of the canned tomatoes.
What can I serve with this spaghetti sauce? This sauce pairs perfectly with cooked spaghetti noodles, but you can also serve it with other pasta varieties like penne, linguine, or rigatoni. Don’t forget to sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor!
Conclusion
Next time you’re craving a comforting bowl of spaghetti, skip the store-bought sauce and try making this homemade spaghetti sauce instead. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it’s also packed with fresh ingredients and robust flavors that will elevate your pasta dishes to new heights. Give it a try and taste the difference for yourself!
Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family, and be sure to subscribe to our blog for more delicious recipes and cooking tips.
Enjoy!
Spaghetti Sauce
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Garlic press
- Cooking spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can crushed tomatoes 28oz can
- 1 can tomato sauce 12oz can
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef, onions, garlic, green peppers, and mushrooms. Cook until beef is browned and vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, bay leaf, oregano, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve with cooked spaghetti noodles or your favorite pasta. Top with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family, and be sure to subscribe to our blog for more delicious recipes and cooking tips.